IGBO DICTIONARY
A.
a
see e
a-
see e-
a- ... m
see e- ... m
-a/-e/-ọ/-o
infl. suff.
(-a after a ị ụ; -e after e i u; -ọ after ọ; -o after o) completive or
open vowel suffix, used with most verbs in the imperative, the
subjunctive, and the sequential forms: Lùa ọlū Do the work:
Kà ànyị jee Let us go: ... ò wèe nalue ụnò wèe fụ yā ... and
then he got home and found it
à
dem.
this
ife à
this (thing)
onye à
this person
ebe à
this place, here
etu à
this way
aà, aā
int.
oh! (surprise)
àa
int.
answer to a call, e.g. yes; a low murmuring or exclamation
over tragic news or surprise
Àba 1.
n.
Aba:
Òbìàgèlì bì n’Àba Ọbịageli lives in Aba
àba 2.
n.
flatness; lying flat on the back: Ọ tògbòlù àba He lay flat
-chalụ àba
lie flat on the back: Òfô sì mù chàlụ āba Ọfọ asked me to lie
flat on my back
-dinà n’àba, dinà
sleep on the back
àba
Idiomatic greeting and response:
Q. Kèdụ kà eke sì ànya anwū? How are things? (lit. How is
the python enjoying the sun?)
A. Àba nà nkọ Fine (lit. Back and sides)
àba
n.
iron hook for fastening windows or doors or joining a canoe,
or used by medicine men, usu. forced into ground
àbàchà
n.
cassava (especially boiled and sliced) (cf. okìlì 2.)
àbàda
n.
cloth used mostly by women (Dutch print), also akwā àbàda
abadaba, abasāla
n.
width; breadth; state or quality of being wide or broad
-dị abadaba
be wide, broad, flat: Wètalụ m#nni ǹkè m n’ime afele dī
abadaba Bring me my own food in a broad flat plate
àbalà
n.
fruit of iroko (used for feeding goats, sheep, etc.): also àbalà
ọjì
àbànà
n.
wateryam (Dioscorea alata Linn.) (also ji àbànà)
àbànì 1.
n.
midnight; night
ètitī àbànì
midnight
(onye) àbànì dì
bandit (lit. the night is dangerous): Onye àbànì dì egwù
1
egwù
tibànyèlù n’ụnò afù A bandit broke into that house
òtu àbànì dì egwù
gang of bandits
àbànì 2.
n.
royal sword, double-edged and made of brass, with which the
king touches the ozì gong to direct the sounding of the war-
drums and leads his soldiers to war (also mmā àbànì)
àbị, àbịì
n.
yam cv. (sausage-shaped)
abìà
n.
music played on ìgbà ogwè, a tall standing drum, when great
warriors die
abō
n.
long basket used for fishing (also ǹkàtà abō)
àbọ
n.
plantation
abòsì
n.
shrub whose twigs are used for chewing-sticks and for
àkàloògòlì figures
àbù
n.
A. plant resembling aŋā, used for its fibres
B. the rope made from it
abukè
n.
wooden vessel used for carrying
abùke
n.
(usu. òkụkù abùke) kind of fowl which never grows to a
large size but is tough (usually used for sacrifice)
abụ 1.
n.
pus
abụ 2.
n.
cat-like animal that sleeps by day, probably the Two-Spotted
Palm Civet or genet
abù 1.
n.
armpit
àkpà abù
boil in armpit
abù 2.
n.
song; solo
abù akwā
A. song (esp Song of Solomon)
B. mourning song
abù mbido
opening song
abù mgbasà
dismissal song
abù mmeli
victory song
abù nchèta
memorial song
abù ochiè
old hymn book
abù òtuto
songs of praise
abù ọfụū
new hymn book
abù ọma
psalm
-bù abù
sing (a solo)
òkwa àbù
soloist
àbùa
num.
two (= ìbùa, ìbùọ)
abụba
n.
feather; leaf; fibre
àbùbà
n.
fat
-ma àbùbà
be fatty, plumpy, fat: Mkpi ǹkaà màlù àbùbà This he-goat is
fat, or, the meat of this he-goat is fatty
abụbọ
n.
vegetables
nni abụbọ
food prepared with vegetables
abụbù
n.
used in:
2
abụbù akwū
pounded palm nut fibre left after removal of kernels
àbùbù 1.
n.
patches of grass brought down and abandoned by the flood
àbùbù 2.
used in:
àbùbùụ jī
cooked yam mashed to feed child or for sacrifice
abụzù
n.
mole-cricket (edible)
àchàlà
n.
generic name for coarse grass or straw, including bamboo
(Oxytenanthera sp.), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
and spear-grass (Imperata cylindrica).
òpi àchàlà Peugeot 404
achị
n.
hip-joint
achịcha
see asịsa
àchìchà
n.
A. biscuit; cake;
B. dried food (prepared by boiling plantain or banana and
cutting it up into small bits, after removing the skin, and
drying it in sun. In the dry form this is stored in a bag and
preserved in ùko till used. It is then measured out like beans
and steeped in water for a few minutes, removed and wrapped
in balls with leaves and boiled. It is then emptied on to boiled
pieces of yam or cocoyam, sometimes with vegetables added,
and stirred and rolled thoroughly with other ingredients -
pepper, oil, etc. - and served)
Adà 1.
n.
A. a warlike people living to the north of the Ọhafịa, who
traditionally acted as head-hunting mercenaries to the Nike
and the Arụ
B. a feast, celebrated to commemorate a victory of Onitsha
North people over the Ada, in which large numbers of small
masquerades throw sticks and stones at people
adà 2., ada
n.
a fall
-dà adà
fall; fall down (usually of persons ( - 1.)
adà akā
n.
ganglion, tumour on arm or hand
àda
n.
eldest daughter; chief woman of family; loosely used for all
daughters
àda èzè
princess
àda ìbà
daughter of the family; female name
àda mmā
fine daughter (used to praise a small girl); also female name
àda nne nnà
paternal aunt
àda nne nnē
maternal aunt
àda Ǹ
female palace dwarf associated with Ezē Ǹ
àda òrà
daughter of all; female name
Nwaāda
A. same as àda (for petting)
B. female name
ụmū āda
group of married women who originate from a particular town
and, even though they are usually married outside it, influence
the affairs, of their home town and particularly the women
3
who marry into it.
àdakā 1.
n.
baboon (also used to abuse someone)
àdakā 2.
n.
(also egbē ādakā) type of locally-made gun
Àdo
n.
an old name for Onitsha people
ute Ādo (= ute
stiff mat used in burial ceremonies, in roofing, and to make
mkpàla)
shelters
àdù
n.
bitter kola (Garcinia kola Heckel)
adù
n.
creeping plant with edible fruit, like potato in appearance
afa
n.
divination; shells of native mango fruit strung together and
used by medicine men in divination
àkpà afā
diviner’s bag
-gba afa
practise divination. This is part of the work of certain native
doctors. A collection of various objects is used, including
human and animal teeth, cowries, seeds, coins, pieces of bone,
seeds of certain plants. This collection is kept in a container.
Divination is then carried out by collecting these objects in the
hand and throwing them on the floor or table, picking them up
and repeating the throwing one or several times more. The
diviner then remains silent or mutters some incantation. He
stares steadily at the objects for some minutes, then directs his
gaze to his client, to whom he tells the revelation of the
divination. Before concluding this report he can throw the
objects once, twice or more times with the necessary
additional revelation. He sometimes takes up some of the
objects and gives them special attention. Some diviners tie the
objects of divination to a string. The throwing is then done in
this form
afà
n.
name; sort; kind
afā Ìgbò i
your Igbo name
afà ị
your personal name
afà nnà ị
your father’s name, surname
afā ōtutu
name by which someone is called on solemn occasions;
praise-name
afà Oyìbo ī
your English name
-ba afà
give a name
-fo afà
mention; mention name
-fota afà
make mention; mention
-gù afà
name; give a name to
-kpọ afà
call by name; name
-malụ afà
be well-known, important:
A màlù afà ya
He is well-known
A mārọ afà ya
No one has heard of him; he is unknown
-tu afà
extol; salute by title, nickname
-za afà
bear a name; answer to one’s name
4
àfaà
n.
title given to chiefs
àfè
n.
dress; clothes; sewn garment; mask
àfe mmọọ
mask of the masquerader; masquerader’s cloth
àfè ọnū
see àfù ọnū
àfè ụkà
cloth, garment, robe set aside and devoted to wearing to
service; Sunday clothes
àfè ụlā
night-gown
aka àfè
garment sleeve
onye àfè ojiī
policeman (-woman)
-wopù àfè
put off clothes
-yi àfè
wear cloth
-yili àfè
put on clothes:
Yili àfè gị kà ànyị je Ukà Put on your clothes and let us go to
Church
afele
n.
plate; flat dish
afele nsansa
flat plate
afele ōwịwa
breakable dish
afele ùkòlò
hollow plate
-gbacha afele
clean the plate (of food)
afịa
n.
market; trade:
Afịa yā dachìghàlù àzụ, màkà nà o nwērọ ike ịzū ego e
nyèlù ya His trade declined because he could not build up his
capital
afịa ōlile
merchandise; commodity
àtụmafịa
commission to buy in the market; order
-gba afịa
trade
-ghọ afịa
suffer loss in trade
ife afīa
small edible articles bought by women for their children
izù afīa
market week of four days
-kpọba afịa
expose, display wares for sale
-kwalụ afịa
pack and move wares away
-le afịa ọkshòm
sell wares at an auction
onye afīa
merchant; customer; trader
ọmà afīa
centre of market
ọnụ afīa
price; market price; cost
-sù afịa
A. flood the market (of excess commodity):
Azù sùlù afịa The market is flooded with fish:
Akpụkpọ ụkwū m zūtalụ n’Àba n’ọnwa gālụ agâ sùlù afịa
The shoes I bought from Aba last month were sold at a loss
B. (fig., of person) be useless:
Ị sùlù afịa You are pretty useless
-tụ afịa
request someone going to market to help buy something;
commission someone to buy something
5
ụnò afīa
market stall
-zụ afịa
trade; hold market; buy and sell in market
afịfịa
n.
grass; sweepings; parings; herb; native medicine prepared
with herbs. Used abusively:
Ọ nà-àgwa ụmù afịfịa okwū He is speaking to low-grade
people
afịfịa ọgwù
herb (for the preparation of native medicine)
-gbu afịfịa
clear weeds
-kpa afịfịa
collect herbs:
Onye dibìà nà-èje ịkpā afịfịa The native doctor is going to
collect the herbs
afọ
n.
stomach; bowels; belly; abdomen (regarded as the seat of the
affections)
afọ imē
pregnancy (lit. belly of pregnancy)
afọ njō
unkindness
afọ nnī
gluttony
afọ òfùfù
(Biblical) liberality; generosity
afọ òbàlà
dysentery
afọ ōchịchị
diarrhoea
afọ ōlụlụ
colic; stomach-ache
afọ ọma
kindness
afọ òrà
sacrifice before cultivation
afọ ōsịsa
dysentery
afọ òsùsù, afọ ōzịza
flatulence
afọ ukwu
gluttony
afọ ụkwū
calf of leg
arụrụ afō
intestinal worm, very tiny; pinworm (lit. ants of belly)
-bu afọ imē
be pregnant (lit. carry pregnant belly):
Ngọzī bù afọ imē Ngọzi is pregnant
elili afō
the intestines
-ju afọ
satisfy:
O jùlù m afọ It satisfies me.:
Afô jùlù m I am satisfied
-kò afọ
distend abdomen
-laju afọ
drink to satisfy
-lụ afọ
have stomach-ache
ngịlị afō
intestine; bowels
-nupù afọ
A. act as purgative;
B. have swollen belly
nwannē afō
brother or sister of same father and mother; full brother or
sister (lit. brother or sister of same womb)
-nwe afọ ọma
be generous, kind, benevolent
-nyeju afọ
feed well
6
ọgwù afō
purgative
-tepùlù afọ
have distended abdomen like that of ascitic or overfed child
-tepùbè afọ
have a bulging distended abdomen
-to afọ
have great swollen belly; develop ascites
ụma afō
enlarged spleen; kind of abdominal disorder in children
characterized by swelling of the spleen in the left side of the
abdomen. It is felt to be round and hard when pressed. It is
wrongly believed by many to be a living thing in the stomach
which resembles a crab and walks up and down the stomach
Àfò
n.
a day in the Igbo four-day week, following Oyè, personified
as an alūsị
Àfòọma name of female person born on Àfò
Nwaàfò name of male person born on Àfò
Afrịkà
n.
Africa (E.)
afù 1.
n.
halfpenny (E. halfpenny)
afù 2.
dem.
that
àkà afù
last year; (generally) old times, days of old
ebe afù
that place; there:
Ònyê nò ebe afù?
Who is there?
èkpè afù
then; at that time
etu afù
so; in that manner
mgbè afù
then; at that time
ndị afù
those (people)
òfu afù
that very one
onye afù
that person
àfù
n.
used in:
àfù ọnū, àfè ọnū
moustache; beard
-gba àfù ọnū
grow beard, moustache
àfụfā
n.
eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon Linn.) (= aŋàlà)
afụfụ
n.
trouble; difficulty
afụfụ mmụọ
A. punishment in underworld
B. very severe punishment or trouble
afụfụ ùwà
misfortune; ups and downs of life
-fụ afụfụ
suffer
-ta afụfụ
suffer; punish; be in suffering, trouble:
Ị gà-àta afụfụ
You will suffer
ùwà afụfụ
world of suffering
afùfù
n.
any rash caused by perspiration; dermatitis; eczema; uticaria;
swollen patches due to sensitivity to some particular food,
serum, drug, etc. ( - 1. swell)
agā 1.
n.
adze
agā 2.
n.
large needle for sewing sacks, etc.
àgà 1.
n.
variety of yam
7
àgà 2.
n.
barren woman
agàba
n.
A. lion
B. name of masquerade
agadī
n.
old person
agadī nwaànyì
old woman
agadī nwaànyì isi
(lit. an old woman with grey hair) plant used as medicine to
awọ
see night witches
agadī nwokē
old man
-me agadī
be old, decrepit; become old
àgàfù
n.
bandit; expert thief
agàmeèbù
n.
A. false thistle (Acanthus montanus T. Anders.)
B. name of a masquerade
àgànà
n.
barbed spear for hunting or fighting
àgìdi
n.
maize gruel (Y. àgìdì)
agịdịgị
n.
fatness; stoutness; bigness
-gbà agịdịgị
be fat, plump; have stout build (of human being only)
àgìgò
see àgùgò
agịlị isī
n.p.
hair of head
agogo
n.
iron gong for proclamations (cf. Y. agogo ‘bell’)
àgòlò
n.
medicinal plant with reddish seeds
agrì
n.
wild Canna (Canna indica Linn.), seen in Agwụ shrines
agū 1.
n.
leopard
agụ atā
A. jackal-like animal
B. name of a town (lit. leopard of the wilderness)
agụ iyī
crocodile
agụ ọgbà
leopard which is weaker and less ferocious than the real
leopard
nwa agū
very young leopard
obi agū
daring, fearless like a leopard; brave
Ògbu āgụ
title; holder of Ògbu āgụ title; name (lit. leopard-killer)
Ògbà agū
secret night society (using agụ ọgbà); Leopard Society
agū 2.
n.
open grassy country; wilderness
agù
n.
person bearing same name as oneself; namesake (cf. ògbò)
agùba
n.
razor
àgùgò, àgìgò
n.
denial; plea:
Ènwerō m àgùgò I have no plea
-gọ àgùgò
deny:
Adā m àchọ ūkpa onye nā-agọ àgùgò ife o mēlụ I do not
like the company of anybody who denies what he has done ( -
gọ 1. deny)
agụgụ
n.
festival
Agụnyego
n.
name for a child believed an ọgbanje (lit. Are we to count you
among our family circle (or are you going to leave us again?))
8
Agù
n.
see Agwù
agụū
n.
hunger; desire; eagerness
(agụū) -gụ
be hungry
agụū mmīli
thirst
-gụ agụū
hunger; desire; long for ( -gụ 2. desire)
agbā 1.
n.
title given to chiefs
agbā 2.
n.
tree from which firewood and incense are obtained
àgbà 1.
n.
covenant; appointment
Àgbà Ochīè
Old Testament
Àgbà Ọfụū
New Testament
-kà àgbà
make appointment
àgbà 2.
n.
jaw
-nwe àgbà
(fig.) have a say in; have influence
àgbà 3.
n.
rheumatism (cf. òkpoòmìlì)
àgbadàgba ntì
n.
mumps
Agbàlà 1.
n.
A. the author of fertility, one of the manifestations of Chukwu
Òkìke, Creator
B. male name
C. child (usually male) whose pregnancy and delivery was
made possible by Agbala
-do Agbàlà
A. perform routine sacrifice to Agbala
B. swear blood-brotherhood; make covenant (between two or
more parties) vowing not to do anything to endanger either
party’s life safety, etc.
-je Agbàlà
consult the Agbala in Awka, the most famous one
agbàlà 2.
n.
(also agbàlà nwaànyì) woman of great influence or of strong,
stout build
agbàlà 3.
n.
an object about 8’ long, made of two long bamboos, with a
number of coconut shells fixed between them representing the
number of girls the owner was on intimate terms with in his
youth
àgbàlà, àgbalà
n.
cow-itch (Mucuna pruriens Linn.)
àgbàtà 1.
n.
boundary line; border
àgbàtà obì
neighbourhood; neighbour
onye àgbàtà obì
neighbour; next-door neighbour:
Ọnwụūkâ bù onye àgbàtà obì m Ọnwụụka is my neighbour:
Proverb: Àgbàtà obī onyê bù nwa nnē ya A person’s
neighbour is his brother (or sister)
Àgbàtà 2.
n.
A. a god
B. male name
agbè
n.
long, narrow calabash for carrying water or wine; calabash
agbidi
n.
solid, thick palm oil
agbịsì, agbụsì
n.
black ant infesting houses, living in holes in mud floors
9
agbō
n.
(also agbọ ajō ọfịa) very thick forest, especially that devoted
to a god, out of bounds to all except the priests of that
particular god
àgbò 1.
n.
growing calabash
àgbò 2.
n.
covering cloth
àgbò 3.
n.
descent; family; lineage; inheritable characteristic of a family:
Àgbọ Ǹgọzî bù àgbọ nā-adị nkenke Ngọzi’s lineage is one
of short people
Àgbòmmā
female name
àgbọghò
see àgbọò
agbọlō
n.
slimy substance, e.g. from fish
àgbònò
see ògbònò
agbọō
n.
vomit
-gbọ agbọō
vomit:
Àda nà-àgbọ agbọō Ada is vomiting
-rù agbọō
retch; make to feel nausea; cause nausea
( -gbọ 1.
vomit; = ògbụgbọ)
àgbọò, àgbọghò
n.
girl of marriageable age; young girl:
Roseline bù nwa āgbọò Roseline is a young girl
àgbọọbìà
girl of marriageable age
-me àgbọghò
act as or be a young woman
agbụ
n.
A. bonds; a binding
-fie agbụ
bind; cord
-ke agbụ
bind:
O kèlù yà agbụ He bound him
B. rope used for climbing, made from ngwò fronds
àgbụgbō
n.
place where refuse is disposed; dunghill (usually deliberately
kept as store of manure for fertilizing land); compost heap;
rubbish heap
àkpa āgbụgbō
grub usually found in a decaying compost heap
-kpo àgbụgbō
collect decayed compost for application to crops
agbùlùgada
n.
molar teeth; part of the jaw where they are situated
agbụsì
see agbịsì
agha, aya 1.
n.
war
-bu agha
fight
-busò agha
fight or war against; carry war against:
Ànyị nà-àchọ ibūsò fa agha We are going to carry war
against them
-dọ n’agha
take prisoner in war
ọdịdọ n’agha
captivity; state of being a prisoner of war
ife aghā
weapon
-je agha
go to war; be recruited into war
ndi aghā
soldiers; warriors
10
-nù agha
fight war; war
-nụsò agha
fight or war against
òchì agha
A. military officer, leader; commanding officer
B. a male name
agha, aya 2.
n.
used in: agha ōghụgha changing of state of things for worse
àghalā, àyalā
n.
lawlessness; confusion:
Ọjì nà-àbịa ebe à ịkpā àghalā Ọjị is coming here to cause
confusion
-gba àghalā
riot; be disorderly; be rascally
-kpọ àghalā
cause confusion, riot, tumult
onye āghala
lawless person
aghùghò, awùwò
n.
guile; deceitfulness; cunning; double-dealing
-ghò aghùghò
be tricky, cunning, fond of setting persons against one another
(such activity usually being done underground); carry on
double-dealing:
Èmeka āna aghòka aghùghò Emeka is very fond of double-
dealing
-pù ala aghùghò
pretend to be mad (in order to cheat or trick)
agwa, agwaā
n.
homesickness; nostalgia
(agwa) -ma
miss:
Agwa enyì m nwokē nō n’Òbòdò Oyìbo nà-àma m#I miss
my friend who is in England (i.e. I feel his absence)
àgwà 1.
n.
beans; Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus Linn.)
àgwà ọcha
cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.)
ịfùlịfū àgwà
pod of beans
àgwà 2.
n.
colour
-tù àgwà
be spotted, variegated in colour:
Akwụkwọ ǹkaà tùlù àgwà ọcha nà èdò This leaf is coloured
white and yellow:
Nkịtā m^tùlù àgwà kà agū My dog is spotted like a leopard
àgwà 3.
n.
manners; behaviour:
Àgwà ya adīsịrọ mmā His manners leave something to be
desired
àgwà ochīè
old custom
-kpa àgwà
behave (usually badly)
-kpa àgwà ọjọō
behave badly
agwọ
n.
snake (generic)
agwò
n.
A. raffia
B. raffia dancing-skirt used by masquerades
Agwù, Agù
n.
an alūsị, or class of alūsị, of ambivalent character, the spirit
of afa divination. Agwụ possesses those who are called to
serve as ndị dibìà, the signs of a vocation being absent-
mindedness, disorientation, and the like:
11
Ndị nā-eme Agwù kà Agwù nà-àkpa It is those who
minister to Agwụ that Agwụ possesses
(Agwù) -kpa
be possessed by Agwụ; be mildly eccentric or mentally
deranged:
Agwù nà-àkpa Okaàfò; ònyê mà mà ò mego ife anarō ème
ēme? Okaafọ is disturbed in his mind; who knows if he has
committed an abomination?
-lu Agwù
perform the preliminary sacrifice before being initiated into
Agwù
nne Agwù
figure to the right of Agwù
nwa Agwù
figure to the left of Agwù
ùdènè Agwù
vulture associated with Agwù, an image of which is made
àhaà!
int.
aha! (surprise)
ajā
n.
earth; trodden clay; building mud; sand
Ajaànà
see Ànì
aja idèì
heap of sand collected by flood after rainfall
aja ngwe
wall
aja ōdido
wall
aja ubòm
white sand, got from river, used in building
aja ūke
red soil
aja ụpà
red clay used for building in upland areas (cf. ụlō)
-do ajā
build a wall
-gbu aja ụnò
build walls of mud building
nwa ezè alā aja
instep of foot (lit. the king’s baby never licks the sand)
-te ajā
rub, smoothe, wet wall; paint wall
-tibo ajā
break piece of wall of with blow; remove part of wall with
blow
ùwà aja āja
troublesome world; world of trials and tribulations (lit. world
of sands; any food or beautiful thing, once sand is spilt into it,
is fouled)
ajà
n.
cymbal
àjà 1.
n.
sacrifice, particularly the joyless sacrifice offered to pacify or
drive out evil spirits
àkàloògòlì, ajō
sometimes, more generally, any sacrifice
mmụō, ekwensu
-chụ àjà
offer joyless sacrifice to drive out evil spirits
-do àjà
deposit joyless sacrifice
ụgbọ àjà
roughly-woven basket containing joyless sacrifice
àjà 2.
Nile Perch, the largest fish in the area (Lates niloticus)
nkōlọ àjà
smaller sized àjà
àjàdù
n.
widower; widow
àjàdù nwaànyì
widow
àjàdu nwokè,
widower
12
àjàdu nwokē
ajị 1.
n.
hair of humans or animals (excluding hair of head and
eyelashes, which are known as ntùtù (isī) and ntùtù anyā
respectively)
-kpàcha ajị
crop, shave, cut hair
-kpàcha ajị anū
crop, cut hair of animal
ajị 2.
n.
used in:
ajị iyī
crocodile
ajì 1.
n.
(also akwà ajì) a kind of native woven cloth, rough, coarse
and thick
ajì 2.
n.
used in:
ajì enyī
severe dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) which occurs
mostly in young women; in severe cases leaves the patient
prostrate, and can be disabling
ajiī
n.
shortened form of ajị iyī crocodile
ajịlịja 1.
n.
sweat; perspiration
-gba ajịlịja
perspire
ajịlịja 2.
n.
A. smooth pebble
B. (fig.) strong and wiry:
Ọ bù ajịlịja mmadù/Ọ dì ajịlịja n’anya He is strong and
wiry
ajō
a.
bad
ajō arụ
bad luck
ajō ife
crime, including abomination and defilement
ajō isi
back luck
ajō mmụō
bad spirit
ajō oyi
rheumatism
ajō ọfịa
see under ọfịa
ajō ọlụ
very, exceedingly, hard:
Ọ dì ajō ọlụ
It is very hard
ajō ọnòdù
bad position or condition
ajō ọnụ
bad speech; foul-mouthedness
ajō ọyà
malignant disease
ajō mmadù
wicked person:
Ànyị àmalụgo nà Òbìàgèli abūrọ ajō mmadù We know that
Ọbịageli is not a wicked person
ajō uchè
bad plan
-lụ ajọ ōlụ
do work badly
ajụ
n.
headpad
ajụ ụtabà
roll of tobacco
ajù 1.
n.
dizziness
(ajù) -bu
be dizzy:
Ajù nà-èbu m#
I am dizzy
13
-bu ajù
cause dizziness:
Ọgwù m ŋūlụ n’ùtụtū à nà-èbu m#ajù The medicine I drank
this morning is making me dizzy
-chụ ajù
be giddy; feel giddy
ajù 2.
n.
tall coarse grass used for thatching
ajùjụ
n.
question
-jụ ajùjụ
ask a question ( -jụ 1. ask)
aka 1.
n.
arm; hand; foreleg; handle; part; portion
aka àfè
sleeve of garment
aka āzụ
bribery (lit. back-hand):
Ọ nà-àchọ ilī aka āzụ He wants to take a bribe
aka ebē
A. witness; surety:
Ọ bù onye aka ebē m He is my witness
B. pledge:
Kà ife à nòdụ n’aka ebē Let this (thing) stand as a pledge
aka èkpè
left hand
aka ezē
toothache
aka ikē
A. stinginess
B. rigid discipline
C. force; violence
aka ikeǹ
right hand
aka izizē
<<shaky hand>> (e.g. some people cannot bear to inflict
injury on other even in treatment, as in incision of abscess,
injection, etc.)
(aka) -ka āka
be stronger than (lit. hand to be greater than hand):
Aka m`kà aka yā
I am stronger than he
akâ mèlù
illicit gin (lit. made by hand)
aka mkpà
one’s very own
aka nchịchā
hand with white patches (due to depigmentation)
aka ngwe
stone or wooden pestle for pepper, egusi, herbs, etc.
aka ǹ
artistically inclined, talented
aka nkō
handy; quick-handed
aka nlō
gentleness
aka nnī
right hand
aka ntadide
stinginess
aka ntụtù
pilfering; light fingers:
Ọ bù onye aka ntụtù He is light-fingered
aka odō
wooden pestle for yam pounding
aka ōkwute
stone for grinding corn
akàlà akā
lines on the hand; destiny
akpù akā
biceps
amà akā
span (of thumb and forefinger)
ànì ogwē akā
forearm
14
àzụ akā
(fig.) hypocrisy (lit. back of hand):
Ọ nà-èzi ānyị àzụ akā He is being hypocritical with us. (lit.
He is showing us the back of the hand)
-bìkwàsị aka
lay hands upon
-bìkwàsị aka n’isi
confirm (in church confirmation)
-bìtụ aka
take hold of, grasp, press with hand lightly (e.g. as when
feeling the temperature of a person with the hand)
-chịni aka
A. lift up hands
B. take the hands off; desist from
-chịnita aka
hold up the hands
-dà aka
lay hands on
-dị n’aka
be responsible
-du aka
help
-dụ aka
poke
èfelì akā
withered hand
-fe aka
beckon
-gado aka
hold someone responsible
-gịgàdo aka
catch hold of lightly
-gba aka
A. snap fingers to show interest
B. be empty-handed:
Agà m àgba akā je be ezè I shall go to the King’s house
empty-handed
-gba aka nwā
be childless
-gba aka ōkpọrọ
be empty-handed
-gba aka ọlū
be unemployed
ikili akā
elbow
iru akā
forearm
isi akā
thumb
-jì aka
be sure; hope:
Ì jì aka nà Nwaàmàlùbịa gà-àbịa taà? Ee, ejì m aka nà ọ
gà-àbịa taà Are you sure Nwaamalụbịa will come today?
Yes, I am sure she will come today:
Ejì m aka nà Chukwu gà-ènyelụ ānyị aka I am hopeful that
God will help us
-jikò aka
join hands in doing something, esp. in marriage
-jipù aka
be disappointed
-ju aka
be plentiful
-kù n’aka
nurse; hold in the arms
-kụ aka
clap hands
-kụpù aka
fail; give up
-kpukpù aka
motion with hands for silence
-kwà aka
push; urge; drive
-kwe n’aka
shake hands
15
-kwedo aka
lay hold of
-kwọ aka
wash the hands
-kwukwù aka
clench, close the hand
nkwukwù akā
fist
-kwụkọ aka
rub the hands together in supplication
-lu aka
receive; reach
-malụ aka
be friendly; be familiar with
mbè aka nnī
handful of food (e.g. fufu)
-me aka ntụtù
be fond of pilfering, picking and stealing
-metụ aka
touch lightly
mgbà akā, mgba
ring
akā
mkpà akā
biceps
mkpà n’aka
walking-stick; staff
mkpịsị akā
finger
ǹju āka
handful
ǹkù akā
elbow
-nu aka
push
-nye aka
help; assist; give a helping hand
nnweju akā
sufficiency; enough
ọbù akā
palm of hand
òchịchị aka ikē
tyranny
ọdù akā
little finger
ọgwè akā
arm
ọgwù akā
whitlow (on the finger or hand)
òtùtù akā
arm’s length
-sà aka
open the hand
-ti aka
strike, beat, with hand
-tinye aka na nni
dine; have meal; dine with (in invitation to a friend present
during a meal)
-tị aka
stretch hands, fingers; crack the knuckles
-tụkpò aka
clasp
-tụtù aka (ntụtù)
pilfer; pick and steal
ụmù akā
(young) children; babes in arms
-wèni aka
take hand from; raise hand; abandon; leave alone
-wèni aka enū
raise hand up
-wèpù aka
take hands off (e.g. a matter)
-zo aka
point at; point with the hand
aka 2.
n.
length; distance
-bitè aka
A. live far away
B. live for long
-butè aka
carry to a great distance
-gatè/jetè aka
go far away
16
-tè aka
be distant, far, remote; be long (in time)
akà
n.
kind of bead worn round neck; necklace; bead worn on wrist
by renowned men
àkà 1.
n.
dwarf; midget (cf. àkàkpò)
àka Ǹ
male palace dwarf associated with Ezē Ǹ
àkà 2., òkà
n.
jigger; animal tick
àkà nwa ǹtùgbu
insect seen on unscrubbed mud floors
àkà 3.
n.
year
àkǎ à, àkà afù
last year; old times; days of old
akàbò
n.
pangolin, whose skin is used for medicine
àkàjè
n.
mockery; humiliation
-me àkàjè
humiliate; disgrace:
Ọ bụlụ nà nwokē afù àbịazie ebe à òzọ ànyị gà-ème yā
àkàjè If that man dares come here again we shall humiliate
him
àkàkpò
n.
person (usu. child) of stunted growth; underdeveloped person
(usu. child or young person); dwarf (cf. àkà 1.)
-dà àkàkpò
be stunted in growth
nwa àkàkpò
dwarf; stunted person
-sù àkàkpò
be stunted in growth
akàlà
n.
sign; mark; cut; footprint
-kà akàlà
draw a line
akàlà akā
lines on the hand; destiny
akàlà ọkwā
insignia of office
àkàlà, àkàrà
n.
cake made of beans (Y. àkàrà)
àkàloògòlì
n.
A. spirits of the dead of worthless people (see mmụō):
Ndị àkàloògòlì jì yà aka He is possessed by the spirits of
worthless people
B. unambititious, easy-going, prodigal person
àkàmù
n.
guinea corn gruel; hot pap (? Hausa)
-gbe àkàmù
mix, prepare liquid pap
àkanwụ
n.
potash (H. kanwaa)
àkanya, àkanyị
n.
thatching mats made of ngwò leaves
-do àkanya
make thatch
-tụ àkanya
thatch roof; build thatch-roofed house
-tụ ụnō akanya
build thatch-roofed house
àkàrà
see akàlà
àkàsì
n.
common type of cocoyam (cf. edè)
àkàtaàkà
n.
masquerade with a large head
àkàtàkpo
n.
great person (used as a praise-name:
Ọ bù àkàtàkpo mmadù He is a great person
àkèle
n.
frog whose cry is a sign of the annual flood of the Niger
akịlịka
n.
dry grass; grass for thatching; dry palm fronds
17
-tụ (unò) akịlịka
build grass-roofed house
àkịkà 1.
n.
termite
àkịkà 2.
n.
pattern of spots
-tù àkịkà
be spotted
akịkọ
see akụkọ
akìlịkō
n.
A. peeling or scraping of roasted yam; food burnt in cooking
B. dry yam plant (external stem which looks like rope and
which when twined into a bundle resembles a sponge,
sometimes used for hard scrubbing)
àkọ 1.
n.
sense
àkọ nà uchè
intelligence; mind
-nwe àkọ
be intelligent
-nwe àkọ nà uchè
be sensible, intelligent:
Nwaàmàlùbịa nwèlù nnukwu ākọ nà uchè Nwaamalụbịa is
very intelligent (or sensible)
àkọ 2.
n.
food prepared from ground maize for feasts
àkọlọ
n.
dry (land)
àkọlō
see àkụlō
akòm, akùm
n.
fever; malaria; jaundice (cf. ịbà)
àkọmọọnū
n.
abuse; vituperation
akūlu
n.
plant with tiny thorns which yields strings, used to tie up
seed-yams or to make àkwalī B.
àkùpè
n.
fan
-kù àkùpè
fan:
Fa nà-ekù mmūọ fa àkùpè They are fanning their
masquerade
akụ 1.
n.
palm kernel
akụ mmili igwē
hail
akụ oyìbo
coconut
akụ ùtùtọlō
kernels of unripe palm fruits (usually white)
ichèlè akū
shells of palm kernels
-kpa akụ
A. search for palm kernels at the farm (usually of children)
B. play a board game like draughts
mkpa akū
the search for kernels
mkpụlụ akū
palm kernel
-ta akụ
be dried, without juice, as of some fruits and tubers; non-
succulent
ùde akū
palm kernel oil
akụ 2.
n.
pubic hair
-gba akụ
grow pubic hair
àkụ
n.
arrow
àkpa ākụ
quiver
àkù 1.
n.
wealth; riches
18
-li àkù
inherit wealth
òli àkù
(loved) wife; heir; inheritor
-kpata àkù
acquire wealth
unō àkù
bank; departmental store; trading post
àkù 2.
n.
winged termite (edible)
akụkọ, akịkọ
n.
A. story (in general)
-kọ akụkọ
tell a story; give news
akụkọ irò
fable; myth
B. true narrative; history (as opposed to akụkọ irò)
akùkù
n.
side; part; locality
n’akùkù
beside
àkùkù
n.
slang
àkùkù ọfụū
new piece of slang
-kụ àkùkù
say slang word
àkụlō, àkọlō
n.
plant (Selaginella)
akùm
see akòm
akpà
n.
strip iron used to strengthen a mud building and join timbers
àkpa 1.
n.
grub such as found in compost heap or decaying palm tree
àkpa āgbụgbọ
grub usually found in a decaying compost heap
àkpa nkwū
grub found on palm tree and in decaying palm tree trunk (lit.
palm tree grub)
àkpa 2.
n.
living or dead palm fronds; long broom prepared from palm
fronds, used for sweeping outside
àkpa nkwū
palm fronds; long broom of palm fronds
oke ākpa
long broom of palm fronds
àkpà 1.
n.
bag; sack; container
àkpà abù
boil in armpit
àkpà afā
diviner’s bag
àkpa ākụ
quiver
àkpà egō
A. purse
B. 24,000 cowries (= 20 akwà)
C. a hundred pounds
àkpàkwùlù
stomach
àkpà nnwā
womb; uterus
àkpà nnwammīli
bladder
àkpà ọjī
pod of kolanut
àkpà uchè
mind; memory
àkpà ụkwalà
asthma
àkpà 2.
n.
nest (of bees or wasps)
àkpà anwū
bees’ nest
àkpa èbù
wasps’ nest
àkpaka
n.
used in:
àkpaka ụzū
log of wood on which the blacksmith’s anvil is set. It is buried
19
in the ground with raffia fibres forming the base so that the
log of wood jumps when the iron is hit by the blacksmith.
This lightens the jarring of the hammer on the blacksmith’s
hand
akpàlàtà
n.
long bamboo frame for carrying load; stretcher for sick person
akpàlataā
n.
tree whose seed is used in making soup (Afzelia africana)
àkpammānụ
n.
yellow; brown
àkpanā
n.
dung of fowls and birds
àkpànì
n.
used in: -tụ àkpànì be bellicose, pugnacious
àkpàràjà
n.
(fig.) someone who can behave badly because he is protected
at a higher level
akpata
n.
shelf for storing
akpàtì
n.
box
akpàtì ozū
coffin
àkpelè
n.
trumpet; horn
akpì
n.
scorpion (cf. òdogwu òzàlà)
àkpị
n.
tick; bedbug
àkpịlī
n.
A. throat
(àkpịlī) -gù
lose voice (as a result of excessive straining of the voice from
long speech or of a cold):
Àkpịlī`gùlù m I have lost my voice
amāafịa ǹtùtọ
sore throat
ākpịlị
-gù àkpịlī
make to lose voice:
Ukwalà gùlù m àkpịlī A cough has taken away my voice
òpu ākpịlị
goitre
B. desire; greed; lust
àkpịlī ịkpō nkụ
intense thirst
-dọ àkpịlī
long after
-to àkpịlī
delight; appeal to; also specifically used to refer to practice by
some children who gaze steadily at person eating or holding
eatable thing which greatly appeals to them
akpìlịkpā
n.
scale of fish
akpo
n.
round; number of times
sò òfu akpō
once only; once for all
àkpo
n.
soft palate; (more generally) roof of the mouth
akpụ 1.
n.
cassava; cassava starch; fufu (raw and pounded)
akpụ àpàlàpà,
raw fufu (sieved and ready for cooking. Usually sold in this
àpìlàpì
form in the market, where it is rolled into balls and retailed in
small amounts)
akpụ ǹkòlò
shredded cassava; raw or pounded fufu; archaic name loosely
used for cassava generally
-gbunye akpụ
steep, soak cassava in water
20
-kwọ akpụ
grate cassava; make gari
òdọ akpū
cassava, raw fufu stalls - a section of the market where
cassava, raw fufu, is displayed for sale
akpụ 2.
n.
cottonwood; silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra (Linn.)
Gaertn.), found at Agwù shrine
òwu akpū
kapok
ùlume akpū
kapok
akpù
n.
knot; lump; cyst; hump (cf. òkpù)
akpù akā
biceps
akpū jī, akpǔ jī
2nd yam for replanting. At the beginning of yam harvest, the
first yams harvested are not quite as firm as those harvested at
the end, so some early harvested yams when dug up are not
completely rooted out from the soil; the tuber is carefully cut
leaving the very tip of the head and the roots in the soil. These
are properly covered back in the soil. By the end of the yam
harvest these are harvested together with the remaining yams.
By this time the small piece of the yam left with the tip of the
head of the yam in the soil has grown more yam
akpù onū
goitre
akpù ụkwū
thigh muscle
-wụ akpù
extract, excise tumour
akpụkpa
n.
crawcraw
(akpụkpa) -ta
attack (of crawcraw):
Akpụkpa nà-àta Azụbūògù Azụbụọgụ has crawcraw
-ta akpụkpa
cause crawcraw:
Nnu òchàǹjà nà-àta akpụkpa Ọchanja salt causes crawcraw
akpụkpọ
n.
skin; leather; hide
akpụkpọ ụkwū
boot; shoe; sandal
-gba akpụkpọ
flay
-yi akpụkpọ ụkwū
wear shoes
akpụkpụ
n.
crumbs (of pounded food)
Proverb: Akpụkpụ ikwè ka nne nnī, ònye nwē nni
ebulukwọ nnī ya (Lit. If crumbs of pounded food tend to be
larger than the main food, the owner of the food will take
back his food [in annoyance, discontinuing the pounding])
akpùlụ
n.
droppings, dung, of animals (the kind that is rolled in small
balls, made especially by goats)
akpùlù
n.
used in:
akpùlù ekwē
unsplit cane
akwa
n.
cry; weeping
akwa àlìlì
weeping over personal tragedy or misfortune, e.g. death of
one’s dear one; unnatural misfortune, e.g. thrashing by one’s
child or lover:
Onye m bù n’obì àrapụgo m wèlụ naba, akwa àlìlì ègbue
21
m#My sweetheart has left me and died, I am dying of a broken
heart
akwa nnī
greediness; lack of hospitality (lit. crying for food)
àkwamozu
mourning; keeping burial customs
abù akwā
A. song (especially Song of Solomon)
B. mourning song
-be akwa
cry
-chì akwa
cry very much, sob (harder than -kwa akwa)
òchìchì akwā
hard sobbing
-gò akwa
bewail; lament
-kwa akwa
cry; weep; lament
-mìkpọ akwa
burst out crying
-sù mbimbi akwā
sob
-tipu akwa
burst out crying
akwà 1.
n.
cloth
akwā àbàda
àbàda cloth
akwà ajì
native woven cloth, very thick, rough and coarse
akwà mgbòchi
curtain
akwà mmīli
rain-coat
akwà oyī
blanket
akwā ōmụma
blanket; wrapper
akwā ùfùfè
sail
akwā ūru
mourning garment (usually of black cloth); sackcloth
akwà ụjū
black cloth worn by mourners
-chì akwà
scrub cloth
-de akwà
iron clothes
-gbasà akwà
spread cloth
-gbò akwà
cover with cloth
igwu akwà
cloth-louse
-jelụ akwà
put on clothes; gird
-kowàsị akwà
wrap a cloth about the body
-kpà akwà
weave cloth
-kpù akwà
cover the body with cloth
-kpupù akwà
take off coverlet
-kwe akwà
weave cloth (usu. with hand-loom)
-ma akwà
wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper
nkịlịka akwà
rag; ragged cloth
òkwa àkwà
tailor
-sụ akwà
wash clothes
-tọ akwà
strip body; make nude by stripping
-tụ akwà
roll, fold cloth
-wà akwà
wear loincloth
-yi akwà
wear cloth
22
akwà 2.
n.
1200 cowries (= 20 ùkwù)
àkwa
n.
egg
àkwa ògàzì
egg of guineafowl
-bụ àkwa
hatch eggs
òbùbụ ākwa
contents of egg
ikèlikē ākwa
eggshell
-kpù n’àkwa
sit on eggs; brood
mgbụgbō ākwa
eggshell
okuko ākwa
eggshell
ùbùlụ ākwa
eggshell
-yi àkwa
lay eggs
àkwà
n.
bed; bridge
àkwà edinà
bed
akwalà
n.
A. vein; sinew; muscle
B. fibres from raphia palm; rope made from them (also
akwalà ngwò)
ùbọ akwalà
stringed instrument resembling guitar
àkwalī
n.
A. creeping plant in the bush, whose vines can be made into
strings (Landolphia dulcis)
B. a charm, made of the strings of àkwalī A. or akwūlu to
increase fruitfulness (òmùmù). It can be for a whole village or
family, or for an individual woman (àkwalị nwaànyì)
àkwamozu
n.
funeral ceremony
akwụ
n.
palmnut; palm fruit
akwụ ànì
white ant (the type that lives in the ground) (lit. palmnut of the
ground)
akwụ(kwọ) olū
pineapple (Ananas comosus Linn.)
akwū ōsụkwū
fruit of a type of palm, easy to break
abụbù akwū
pounded palmnut fibre left after removal of kernels
-gbu akwụ
cut palm fruit
ògùlù akwū
inferior palm-oil
ọgbè akwū
head of palmnuts
àkwụ
n.
bird’s nest (= anì)
akwùkwà
n.
mud cooking-stand or metal tripod
-fi akwùkwà
make a cooking-pot stand
akwụkwọ
n.
A. leaf
akwụkwọ nnī
vegetable
akwụkwọ
broad leaf
ōbodòlòbo
akwụkwọ osisi
leaf of tree
akwụkwọ ūma
Sarcophrynium spp.; of leaf with smooth surface much used
in wrapping food and kola nuts
-kpa akwụkwọ
collect leaves (e.g. like a herbalist)
23
mgbụ ākwụkwọ
(shed) leaves
mkpa ākwụkwọ
(shed) leaves
B. book; paper; letter
akwụkwọ īwu
law book
akwụkwọ mfụkòba
folded paper
Akwụkwọ Nsō
Holy Bible
akwụkwọ ọfụū
new book
akwụkwọ ọlū
letter of appointment:
Fà ènyego ī akwụkwọ ọlū? Have they given you the letter of
appointment?
akwụkwọ ūkwe
hymnbook
-bì akwụkwọ
print, type paper, book
-de akwụkwọ
write letter
-degalụ akwụkwọ
write (letter) to:
Achòlù m idēgalụ onye isī akwụkwọ I want to write to the
manager
-delụ akwụkwọ
A. write (letter) to
B. help in writing a letter:
Anà m àchọ idēlụ ya akwụkwọ I am preparing to write him
(or, write for him)
ego akwụkwọ
currency note
òde ākwụkwọ
clerk; letterwriter
-sà akwụkwọ
open leaves of a book (looking for a particular page or
chapter)
C. legal paper; matters arranged by means of legal papers
akwụkwọ isī
tax; tax receipt, payment (lit. head paper)
-dọka akwụkwọ
dismiss a case
-gba akwụkwọ
prosecute (by law):
Ọ bụlụ nà ị bàta ugbō m ọgē ōzọ agà m àgba gī akwụkwọ
If you dare trespass on my farm another time I shall prosecute
you:
X:Agà m àgba gī akwụkwọ
Y:Ì pụrò ya; mà jèe gbàa m#ọ bụlụ nà ị nwèlù ike
X:Ò bù m gbaa gī ì dọkaa?
X: I shall prosecute you!
Y: You can’t; just go and prosecute me if you can
X: If I prosecute you, can you get it dismissed?
-gbà akwụkwọ
wed (in church or under ordinance):
Roseline nà-àkwadebe ịgbà akwụkwọ n’ọnwa nā-abịa
Roseline is preparing to wed next month
-na akwụkwọ isī
pay tax:
Ì nago akwụkwọ isī gị?Have you paid your tax?
-sèkà akwụkwọ
dismiss a case (lit. tear papers):
24
Anà m elò nà a gà-esèka akwụkwọ Ọnwụūka gà-àgba m#I
think that the prosecution Ọnwụụka is going to bring against
me will be dismissed
ògbụgba ākwụkwọ
legal prosecution
D. school
nwatà akwụkwọ
school-child; student
ụmù akwụkwọ
school-children; student
ụnò akwụkwọ
school; place of learning
E. book-learning in general:
ògụ ākwụkwọ
reader; scholar
Akwụkwô bàlù ulù Book knowledge is useful
-ma akwụkwọ
(lit. know book); be brainy:
Ọ nà-èsilị ndị āmarō akwụkwọ ike inwēta ọlụ n’ọgè kịtaà
It is difficult for illiterates to secure employment nowadays:
Rose mà akwụkwọ Rose is brilliant (in studies)
-mù akwụkwọ
study (lit. study book)
-nwe isi akwụkwọ
be brainy, brilliant (at studies)
àkwụkwù
n.
epilepsy
-dà àkwụkwù
have epilepsy; be epileptic; have epileptic fits:
Òfọ nà-adā ākwụkwù Òfọ has epilepsy
àkwụmà
n.
yaws (cf. òfì)
àkwụmà ụkwū
corn (on foot)
àkwùnàkwụnà
n.
prostitute; harlot (cf. ògàcha)
ala 1.
n.
breast; milk
ala efī
milk (from cow)
-chụ ala
wean:
Ànyị gà-àchụ nwa ānyị ala n’ọnwa īsiì We shall wean our
child at six months
-gba mmili alā
contain breast milk; have flow of milk from the breast
mmili alā
milk
mmili ala efī
cow’s milk
-nye ala
breast-feed
-ŋụ ala
suck breast (of infant):
Nnwa nà-àŋụ alā The child is sucking
-sa ala
A. wash breasts, especially of a newly delivered mother, to
induce breast milk
B. artificially induce the breasts of a non-pregnant woman to
begin to produce milk by washing with a certain native
medicine preparation. This is usually done when the mother of
a sucking infant dies, or when the child is taken from her on
medical grounds, etc. A healthy woman is asked to take up the
infant’s breast-feeding. Her breasts are then medicinally
washed to induce milk
25
ọgbòdògbò alā
abnormally heavy, large and long breasts
nwaànyì
woman with abnormally large and heavy breasts
ọgbòdògbò alā
ala 2.
n.
madness
(ala) -kpa
be mad (lit. be moved with madness)
onye alā
mad person
-pù ala
become mad; be mad:
Ì nà-apù alā? Are you mad?
-pù ala aghùghò
pretend to be mad (in order to cheat or trick)
-yì ala, -wì ala
be mad; become mad:
Ọ nà-ayì alā He is mad
àlakùba
n.
Arabic language, named after the phrase in Moslem prayers
’Allāhu ’akbar:
Ọ nà-àsụ àlakùba He is talking double Dutch
Àlàhambrà
n.
name of a particular small market in Onitsha, now replaced by
Òchàǹ
alā ụla
n.
sleeplessness
alịlị
n.
a millipede (cf. esu)
àlìlì
n.
resentment at misfortune:
Ọ nà-àkwa àlìlì He resents his misfortune
-be àlìlì
mourn; lament
alò
n.
advice; counsel; suggestion; idea; consultation
-ra alò, -ralu alò
consider; take counsel; consult together; advise
-ranye alò
advise; give advice
-tụ alò
advise; counsel; deliberate on and give advice or offer
suggestion
-tụnye alò
advise; counsel; suggest; give opinion ( - think)
alọ
n.
heaviness; grievousness
àrụ alō
dullness; sloth; sluggishness
-dị alọ
be heavy:
Akpàti ǹkaà dì alọ This box is heavy
ibu alō
heavy load
alò 1.
n.
cock’s comb
alò 2.
n.
A. spear used by titled men for ceremonies (= ubē ǹ)
B. (in Nri) staff symbolizing the power which a lineage
received from Chukwu during its creation
àlòmmụō
n.
feast for sacrificing to the ancestors
àluluū
n.
mist; cloud; vapour
alụ
n.
bite
-ta alụ
bite
alū
n.
abomination; hurtful, obnoxious thing; taboo
ife alū
abomination; used with verbs to signify intensity
-kwu okwu alū
speak abominable word(s)
26
-me alū
commit abomination; break taboo; do something traditionally
forbidden
alụlụ
n.
used in:
alụlụ ànì
injustice; maltreatment; wickedness
àlụlù
n.
medicinal plant, also used for stew
àlùlù 1.
n.
yamsticks
àlùlù 2.
n.
used in:
-kwụ àlùlù
be misty
alūsị
n.
spirit; divinity; deity; invisible supernatural ‘being-force’,
divided by Nri into four types: those directly established by
Chukwu such as Igwē, the firmament those established by Eri
such as Ànì, Ajaànà, Ìfèjiọkū, Onuebo, and the market days
Èke, Oyè, Àfò, and Ǹkwọ; those established by the ancestors
such as Idemmīli, Udō, Arò, Àkwalị Òmùmù, Ǹgènè,
Ògwùgwù, and Òrìmmìlì; those called Agwù. The market-
days and the alūsị of the third and fourth types have human
temperaments and are represented by nkwu (images). Others
are regarded as forces rather than beings and so can be
represented only symbolically in shrines (Onwuejeogwu
1974: 85 ff.)
-do alūsị
erect a shrine
efi alūsị
sacred cow (efi Ìgbò type owned by village, which cannot be
killed; if it dies it is given burial like a human being)
egwu alūsị
traditional religious dances
ezè alūsị
priest
-gọ alūsi
worship a spirit
òkwu alūsị
shrine
Ọnwa Uzo Alūsị
twelfth month of the traditional Nri calender, devoted to
rituals and offerings to the alūsị and to wrestling matches and
dances before the temples
-pị alūsị
carve, shape image
-rù alūsị
worship a spirit
ụnò alūsị
shrine; building consecrated to a deity
ama
n.
(also èzi amā) space in front of the compound, outside the
compound wall and beginning from the main gate; street:
Ama Madùnààgụ Madụnaagụ street
-nò n’ama
(fig.) menstruate:
Nwaànyì nò n’ama The woman is menstruating
-pù ama
go to the toilet (lit. go out to the fore-compound beyond the
main compound door):
Anà m apù amā I am going to the toilet
-pù n’ama
reach age of menstruation
Nwaànyì pùlù n’ama The girl has reached puberty
ụzò ezi amā
main entrance to a compound
27
amā
n.
distinguishing mark
ife ịrìbà amā
token:
Enyē m#gị akwụkwọ ǹkaà kà ọ bụlụ ife ịrìbà amā nà a
kpōbàtàlù gị nà òtu ānyị taàtà I present this book to you as a
token to your admission into our society today
-rì(bà)amā
mark; put distinguishing mark on
nrìba amā
(distinguishing) mark
amà
n.
measure
amà akā
span
amà okwū
verse
amà ụkwū
pace; footstep ( -mà measure)
àmà
n.
witness; secret divulged (e.g. if a person is planning to kill me
on a certain day and a friend happens to know of this and tells
me beforehand this information is àmà); information;
testimony:
Ndi àfè ojiī nà-àkwadebe ijīde Chiìnwè mà ndi enyì ya
āgbagolụ yā àmà The police were going to arrest Chiinwe
but her friends have warned her of this
àma ụghā
false witness:
Ọ bù ife ọjọō ịgbā àma ūgha It is a bad thing to bear false
witness
-gba àmà
bear witness; divulge secret; betray
Ndi àmà Chukwu God’s witnesses; the martyrs:
Unù bù ndi àmà m You are my witnesses:
Ndi àmà Ị nà-etō ị n’enu igwē Thy Martyrs (witnesses) are
praising Thee in Heaven
Ndi àma Jèhovà Jehovah`s Witnesses
onye àmà
tale-bearer; gossip; informer
amāafịa
n.
tooth-ache
amāafịa ǹtùtọ
sore throat
ākpịlị
amàlà
n.
type of fish
àmàlà 1.
n.
favour
àmàlà 2.
n.
paddle (for canoe)
ụgbọ àmàlà
canoe
àmànì
n.
point of time; hour
àme
n.
black plaited necklace
amì
n.
(also amì mịlō) reed
amōosu
n.
witch
ezè amōosu
chief of witches
-ta amōosu
be a witch; practise witchcraft
amụ
n.
laugh; laughter
-kpa amụ
cause laughter; be absurd; jest; trifle; amuse
28
-kpùmùlị amụ
smile, laugh, chuckle, in a gentle way (as a sign of pleasure)
mkpụlụ amū
a smile
-sọ amụ
make laugh; please; amuse; delight; be funny ( -mụ amụ
laugh)
amù
n.
scrotum
amù ibì
hydrocele
-gba amù
castrate
mkpụlụ amù
testis
-pì amù
castrate
amụma
n.
prophecy
-bu amụma
prophesy;
-ma amụma
prophesy; foretell
onye amụma
prophet
onye amụma āsị
false prophet ( -ma + 8. announce)
àmùmà
n.
lightning
-sè àmùmà
show lightning; flash; lighten
ànà
see ànì
anakā
n.
branch
anakā osisi
branch of tree
-du anakā
put out shoots, suckers
Ànàndiìchè
n.
god of family, represented by a tree
ànàsì
n.
chief or favourite wife (usually first) of a king
anì
n.
(also anì nnùnù) bird’s nest (= àkwụ)
ànì, ànà
n.
A. land; ground; soil
ànì apìtì
swamp
ànị èdò
Atanị area
ànì ezè
kingdom
ànì isī
skull of head
ànị mmadù
A. foreign country; another person’s land
B. land of the living (opposed to ànì mmụọ)
ànì mmanụ anwū
promised land (land of milk and honey)
mmili ala efī
ànị mmānya
dregs of wine
ànì mmarùbe
earthquake
ànị mmụọ
land of the dead (opposed to ànị mmadù, land of the living)
(Christian usage) hell; Hades:
Ọ līdàlù n’ànị mmụọ He descended into hell
ànì obì
place of abode; settlement
ànì ogwē akā
forearm
ànì okwū
most important part of the story
ànì olū
land overflowed in wet season
ànì ọcha
A. dry land, not overflowed in wet season
B. Igbo land
29
ànị ōma jìjìjì
earthquake
ànì ọnà ọcha nà
land of gold and silver
ọnā èdò
ànì ụkwū
heel of the foot
ànì ụlō
clay soil
akwụ ànì
white ant (the type that lives in the ground) (lit. palmnut of the
ground)
àrụ ànì
quietness
awa ànì
division, plot, of land
-bọ ànì
scratch, paw the ground (of fowls, dogs)
-dị ànì
be low:
Oche à dì ànì This chair is low
-do ànì
settle a country; establish peace
-dolu ànì
put down
-dolu àrụ ànì
take things easy
enu ànì
dry land (as opposed to water); high land between Asaba and
Agbor
enū nà ànì
‘up and down’; blouse and wrapper made of same material
-fè ànì
prepare land for planting by propitiating the gods concerned
-gbabo ànì
kick up the ground
-gbakìlì ànì
run hither and thither; make fuss; be dilatory, going hither and
thither without anything being seen done by the person; dilly-
dally
-kpa okē ànì
make boundary between lands
-kpọbo ànì
level ground; break ground for planting
-kpọ isi ànì
prostrate; cringe; worship; beg
-kpọ ànì
clear ground by burning
-lu ànì
arrive at a settlement or conclusion
-lụ ànì
wreak havoc; commit treachery, abominably wicked or cruel
act
-lụcha ànì
cultivate land; clear weeds
ǹgwu ànì
tool for digging; digger
ǹtọ ànì
foundation; origin
òbì n’ànà alā ajā
one who lives underground but does not absorb earth (i.e.
masquerade)
onu ànì
low tone:
Ọ nà-èkwu n’onu
He is speaking in low tones
ànì
onye ànì
fellow countryman
onye ànị mmadù
foreigner; stranger
ọkpụ ànì
ancient; long-established
òkpụkpa ànì
making of boundary
ọmụ ànì
bottom
30
ọrụ ànì
dregs (of wine)
òsụsụ ànì
cutting, clearing of bush preparatory to farming
-pu n’ànì
be native or home-born, indigenous (lit. grow, sprout in the
soil)
-rulu ànì
stoop down
-runata ànì
stoop down a bit
-sekpùlu ànì
worship; bow, kneel down; give honour to
-sù isi n’ànì
fall headlong; throw oneself headlong
-sù n’ànì
thump on the ground; set down heavily
-tò anya n’ànì
be observant, watchful, careful; take notice of; watch (lit. lay
the eye to the ground)
-tò ntì n’ànì
hearken; pay attention (lit. lay the ear to the ground)
-tò ǹtọ ànì
lay foundation
ụgbọ ànì
lorry; car
ùsọ ànì
A. boundary (of farmland)
B. bank of river
-wa ànì
break up land by digging; divide land for planting; dig ground
-wedàta ànì
bring down; humble; humiliate
B. Ànì, Ànà the Earth Spirit, regarded as the mother of all
men, the queen of the underworld, and the custodian of public
morality
Ajaànà
aspect of the earth related to death rites
Ànìegbòka
person’s name
Ànìèmeka
person’s name (lit. The land has done very well)
Ànị ēzi
the shrine of Ànì owned by the head of a compound, kept in
front of his house
Ànị Ònìchà
secret place worshipped by Onitsha people
alụlụ Ànì
injustice; maltreatment; wickedness
ezē Ànì
life-size status of carved wood, representing Ànì
nsọ Ànì
abomination
-rù Ànì
sacrifice to Ànì
anịkịlịjā
n.
old, worn-out thing, usually machine or vehicle:
Igwē ǹkaà bù anịkịlịjā This bicycle is very old and worn-out
ànịnị, àniniī
n.
tenth of a penny (H. àniinii)
ànọ
num.
Central Igbo form of ìnọ, used in ta à bụ ànọ three days ago
(lit. today is four)
ànunuū
n.
plant yielding black dye
anụ
n.
animal; meat
anụ atụlū
mutton
anụ efī
beef
anụ ewū
goat’s meat
anụ ezì
pork
anụmànù
animal (generic)
31
anụ namà
beef
anụ ọfīa
A. wild animal
B. (fig.) any person who behaves like an animal; foolish
person
anụ ūfe
flying creature: bird; bat
anụ ugbokō
stupid, uncivilized person
-chụ anụ
chase animals
-dọka anụ
tear, rend (flesh)
ezè anụmànù
king of the beasts; elephant
onye anū
meat seller, dealer
ọkpùlùkpù anū
piece of meat
ọlụ anū
leg (of meat)
ugwùlùgwù anū
breast (of meat)
ùw’a anụmànù
the animal world
ànùm
n.
A. female tortoise
B. wife of Tortoise in fables
ànụmdi
n.
marriage (of woman to man); wedding
ànùnù 1.
n.
bird (rare, small)
ànùnù ebè
tree supposed very poisonous, associated with ànùnù
ànùnù 2.
n.
indigo vine (Lonchocarpus cyanescens Benth.)
ànùnụ ngwe
vegetable
ànùnù 3.
n.
type of game played by children
ànwàlì
n.
(also ìpo ànwàlì) a fish (Alestes leuciscus); ìpo is regarded as
the larger size of ànwàlì
ànwàǹ
n.
conjuring, magic, jugglery, by dibìà
-me ànwàǹ
conjure; do wizardry
anwū 1.
n.
sunshine; heat of sun
(anwū) -cha
beat (of sun)
-cha n’anwū
be apparent, obvious, conspicuous
-kpọ anwū
wither
mkpọ ānwụ
drought; extended or severe dry season; long period without
rain
òche anwū
umbrella; sunshade
oke anwū
intense sunshine
ọjì anwū
false iroko (Antiaris africana Engl.)
-zè(lụ) anwū
shelter from sun
anwū 2.
n.
bee
àkpà anwū
beehive
mmanụ anwū
honey
-ra anwū
take honey from the comb (after driving away the bees)
anwū 3.
n.
mosquito
anwụ ntà
mosquito
ụnò anwū
mosquito-net
32
anwùlị
see aŋùlị
anwụlịnwụ
n.
rough surface
anwụlù
n.
A. smoke
B. tobacco; cigarette; cigar; tobacco snuff (cf. ùtabà)
anwụlū èkèlèke
tied tobacco; bits of tied tobacco retailed in small amounts -
1d, 3d, etc.
isi anwūlù
head of tobacco; bunch of prepared tobacco leaves (usually
black tobacco) counting 5 leaves in one head
-kpọ anwụlù
take snuff:
Ọ nà-àkpọ anwūlù He is taking (tobacco) snuff
mkpò anwūlù
snuffbox
-kwụ anwụlù
smoke (of a fire)
òkwute anwūlù
stone for grinding snuff
-sè anwụlù
smoke tobacco:
Adā m esè anwūlù I never smoke
anya 1.
n.
eye
anya akpà
goggling eyes
(anya) -bughalị
be dizzy, giddy, mad:
Anya nà-èbughalị m#I am dizzy
anya ikē
boldness; fearlessness; greed
anya ī
exclamation of pleasure on meeting a friend after long
separation
anya mpīa
eye partly closed through disease or accident
anya mkpō
blindness
anya mkpūlụ egō
eye with pupil whitened by disease
anya mmīli
tears
-gba anya mmīli
shed tears
anya ọkū
A. disease of the eye
B. fierceness of aspect
C. jealousy; envy (lit. fiery eyes)
anya ūdo
self-control; temperance
anya ùfìè
squint; cross eyes
anya ukwu
greed; coveteousness (lit. big eyes)
arị anyā
filaria; filaria worm (of the eye)
-bà n’anya
intoxicate
-bo anya
stare at
-bokwàsị anya
stare at
-bughalị anya
make dizzy, giddy, mad:
Ọgwù m ŋūlụ n’ùtụtù nà-èbughalị m#anya The drug I took
in the morning makes me dizzy
-bịachị anya
come regularly
-chalàpù anya
stare at; look sternly at
-chi anya
be well woven; be tight
33
-chìchapù anya
stare; glare
ènyò anya
pair of glasses
-febè n’anya
get in eye; (fig.) be cheated:
Ekwēna kà ife febē gị n’anya Don’t let anything get in your
eye, or, Don’t let yourself be cheated
-fụju anya
toil, suffer greatly
-fụ n’anya
love; like
-fụsì anya
suffer greatly; see many tribulations; have hard experience
-gbado anya
fix the eye on, persevere, be diligent
gbàdo anyā
greeting to a departing friend
-gbagwòju anya
confuse; abash:
Ife à gbagwòjùlù m anya This has confused me
-gbà ùgègbè anyā
wear glasses
-gbe anya
steal a look at
-gbudo anya
perceive; observe
-gha anya
turn the eyes; long for; expect
-gha anya n’àzụ
look backwards; look back; glance back
ife ịtū n’anya
surprising thing
-jechi anya
be punctual
-ji anya
be lazy
-ju anya
surprise; astonish
-ka anya
surpass by greediness, boldness
-kpacha anya
do something on purpose
-kpachalụ anya
be careful, warned, cautious, beware; take heed (lit. clear way
for sight)
-kpachapù anya
take care; be careful, vigilant
-kwakpọsị anya
cry bitterly (lit. blind oneself with tears)
-lò anya
eye; look at angrily or with contempt
-ma anya
attract
-me anya ụlā
be drowsy
-meghèli anya
confuse:
O meghèlì m anya He confused me
mkpụlụ anyā
eyeball
-ne anya
behold; look (at); gaze at; look after; mind
-nefè anya
overlook
-nefèga anya
overlook; neglect
-nefù anya
look aside; neglect; overlook
-nekpọ anya
take a good look at
-nekwàsị anya
look upon; look again
-nenye anya
look into
-neta anya
regard; have respect for
-netị anya
look ahead
-netù anya
look downwards
34
-nezi anya
beware; look out; be cautious
ǹkù anyā
eyebrow
ntùtù anyā
eyelash
nwantaǹta anyā
pupil of eye
-nwùchì anya
shut eyes
-nwụchita anya
dazzle the eyes
ọdù anyā
corner of the eye
-sì anya
be bold, capable of withstanding hardship, courageous
-sọ anya
refrain from doing something because of respect for someone
present
asō anya
disregard for status or presence; (in good sense) fairness in
judgement; (in bad sense) disrespect
-tabè anya
wink
ntabè anyā
in the blink of an eyelid; in the twinkling of an eye
-tilò anya
tame; beat very severely (lit. beat till the eyes become soft)
-tò anya n’ànì
be observant, watchful, careful; take notice of; watch (lit. lay
the eyes on the ground)
-tụ anya
expect
-tụkpọ anya
damage eye by hitting it with something
-tụ n’anya
surprise; astonish
ugègbè anyā
(eye) glasses
ùwà anya ọkū
envious, jealous world
-wèpù anya
ignore; overlook; connive at
-wo n’anya
be plain, clear, obvious; stare one in the face; leap to the eye
-zi n’anya
convince
anya 2.
n.
distance
-dị anya
be distant, far:
Ebe mkpọtụ sì àbịâ dì anya Where the noise is coming from
is far away
ànyaā
int.
how? what? (used in addressing persons)
anyaanwū
n.
A. sun (as heavenly body)
azịzà anyaanwū
beam of light
iru anyaanwū
A. sun
B. sky (= iru igwē):
Iru anyaanwū dì njọ The sky is cloudy
òdìdà anyaanwū
sunset; West
òwụwa anyaanwū
sunrise; East
B. the sun, regarded as a manifestation or son of Chukwu, the
author of light and knowledge:
Chèe irū n’anyaanwū, sìị ‘Anyaanwū nà Agbàlà’ Face the
sun, saying, ‘Sun and Agbala’ (in sacrifice) (anya 1. eye +
anwū 1. sunshine)
anyàlà
see aŋàlà
35
ànyàlì
n.
albino
-cha ànyàlì
be an albino:
Umù ya naàbò chàlù ànyàlì Two of his children are albinos
ànyasì, anyàsì
n.
evening; night (cf. ùchichì)
-gba (àzì) anyàsì
take supper
kwà ànyasì
every evening
mgbèdè anyàsì,
late in the evening; evening
nni anyàsì, nni
supper
ànyasì
anyikē
n.
axe (anyụ + ike)
osisi anyikē
wooden handle of axe
ànyị, àyị
pron.
(independent, 1st pers. pl.) we; us; our:
Ànyị nò ebe à We are here:
Wètalụ āyị ego āyị Bring us our money:
Ònye nà-àkpọ āyị? Who is calling us?
ànyị nà ònwe ānyị
we ourselves
ànyị nwà
we here; we ourselves
di ānyị
such a one, so and so (e.g. where a name is unknown); friend
Dinwenu ānyị
Our Lord
-dị n’isi ānyị
be our responsibility
ibe ānyị
comrades; friends; compatriots; companions
ǹke āyị
our; ours
ànyìnyà, ìnyìnyà
n.
horse
ànyìnyà ibū
donkey; mule; ass; beast of burden
ànyìnyà igwè
bicycle (old term)
-magolu ànyìnyà
mount a horse
anyụ
n.
axe (also anyikē, anyụ ikē), see separate entry
A kàta nà a gà-ègbu ọjì, anyụ èpelụ ọnū, mpòmà èpelụ ọnū
When it is said that the iroko is to be felled, the axe loses its
edge, the matchet loses its edge (i.e. people become
discouraged at the thought of too difficult a task)
anyụ ǹ
small hammer used by blacksmith
anyū
n.
pumpkin
aŋā
n.
wild cane; rattan; generic term applying to Oncocalamus
wrightianus Hutch., O. acanthocnemis, Ancistrophyllum
secundiflorum, and A. opacum, used to make chairs, beds,
walking-sticks, baskets, trays, whips string, etc.
elili aŋā
cane string (= ekwe)
-gbu aŋā
collect cane from bush
aŋàafì
n.
kind of ant with painful bite and characteristic smell; stink-ant
aŋàlà, anyàlà
n.
(= ofe) egg-plant with tiny fruits and edible leaves (Solanum
macrocarpon Linn.) (= àfụfā)
aŋùlì, anwùlị
n.
feast; joyful celebration
36
aŋùlị nnwā
feast for a child (e.g. outing, christening, etc.) ( -ŋù 1. rejoice)
aŋụlụma
n.
drinking spree
onye aŋụlụma
drunkard
àpà
n.
scar; mark
àpà ọnyā
scar; scar of sore
àpà ụkwū
footprint
-bo àpà
leave scar or mark on:
Ọ bụlụ nà nwe sī ebe à gaa òzọ m tisịa gī èbo m#gị àpà If
you dare pass here again I shall give you a thorough beating
(lit
after beating you I shall leave scars on you)
-bu àpà
have, bear scar or mark
àpàlàpà, àpìlàpì
n.
fresh fufu (from - mould)
akpụ àpàlàpà
raw fufu (sieved and ready for cooking)
àpàlì
n.
climbing fibre plant
àpàtàpà
n.
used in:
àpàtàpà ụkwū
thigh
àpị
n.
foreskin
apịa
n.
Black-and-White-Tailed Hornbill (Tockus fasciatus)
àpìlàpì
see àpàlàpà
apìtì
n.
mud; mire; swamp; marsh
ànì apìtì
swamp
àràbà 1.
n.
plant planted to enrich the soil (esp. in the Ìgbo agba enū
area)
Àràbà 2.
n.
Asaba
ǹga Àràbà (fig.) heavy punishment (from the first prison yard
B.
-ba + 1.
v.
A. be many, plenty, much, abundant, numerous; increase in
number; multiply
B. grow rich, wealthy
-ba aba
be many
-bachi
be very plentiful:
Umù ya bàchì ụnò His offspring fill the house (said of a man
with many children)
-ba ògàlànyà
grow rich; become wealthy:
Ndùbeezè àbago ògàlànyà Ndụbeeze has grown rich
-ba ọnya
develop into sore or ulcer (of fresh wound)
-barị
be wealthy:
Ọ bārịgo He has become wealthy
-ba ùba
A. be many; multiply; increase:
Umù ya bàlù ùba He has many children
37
B. be rich, wealthy:
Fâ bàlù ùba They are rich
-bawanye
increase:
Ànyị àbawanyego We have increased (e.g. of family, society)
ùba
A. plentifulness; increase
B. wealth; riches (cf. àkù)
-ba + 2.
v.
shout at; rebuke; chide; scold
-ba mba
scold, etc.:
Ọ bààlì yà mba He scolded him
-ba 3.
v.
peel (with knife)
Ọ nà-àba jī He is peeling yams
-bachapù
peel completely
-ba 4.
v.
break (under pressure); burst (as of weak clay pot with water
in it being broken by pressure of the water; of fufu balls
breaking in the pot during boiling):
Ìtè afù akārọ aka, ọ gà-àba mà ị tanye mmīli n’imē ya That
pot is not strong; it will break if you pour water into it
òbụba
breaking
-ba/-be 1.
ext. suff.1.
be (doing something); begin and continue:
Lùba ọlū Be working
Ì chò kà m bebe akwā? Do you want me to be crying?
-ba/-be 2.
ext. suff.1.
at; on; against
-dàbe
lean against:
Osisi ànyị gbūlu dàbèèlù n’ọjì The tree we cut down is being
supported by the iroko
-dọba
put on, at:
Dòba mmīli afù n’ànì Put that water on the floor
-gbabe
lean against
-kwụba
place against
-ba/-be 3.
ext. suff.2.
causative
-gbabebe
make something lean against something (cf. -gbabe lean
against)
-yibe
put clothes on someone (cf. -yi 1. wear clothes)
-ba/-be 4.
ext. suff.
away from
-chùbe
go away to fetch
-gaba, -jebe
go away
-bà- 1.
v.
enter:
bàa
go in
òbùbà
entrance, entry; initiation
-bà èlèlè
be useful; profit; benefit:
Ọlụ à abàrò èlèlè This work is not useful (cf. -bà n’ife, -bà
ulù)
-bàkọ
A. enter together
38
B. be about to enter
-bàlụ
be profitable to (someone); be source of gain to:
Ọ bàgolụ ī You have profited from it
-bàmì
enter deeply into
-bà n’anya
intoxicate:
Mmanya à bà m n’anya This wine intoxicates me
-bà n’ife
be useful; profit; benefit (cf. -bà èlèlè, -bà ulù)
-bà n’ime àwòlò
enter into mask; wear mask (like a masquerade)
-bànye
join; enter; go in
ụzò mbànye
crossroads; street corner
-bànyelụ okwu
join, intervene, in a discussion
-bà ọlà
be stale (of pounded food)
-bàta
enter; come in
-bà ulù
be useful; profit; benefit (cf. -bà n’ife, -bà èlèlè)
èzi ìbà
court of a native house
-bà- 2.
v.
soak
-bàba
soak (corn, clothes, etc.)
-bànye
soak in
-bànye akpụ
soak cassava
-bà + 3.
v.:
-bà afà
name; give a name (e.g. to new-born baby)
òbùbà afà
giving a name
-ba-cha
v.
peel; pare (yam, cassava, etc., with knife) (cf. -be-cha)
bànyelụ
about; concerning:
Achò m ịjūta ife bànyelụ yā I want to inquire something
about him
basịkùlù
n.
bicycle (E., cf. igwè, òkpọlè, ànyìnyà igwè)
be 1.
n.
home; dwelling:
Ọ nò nà be yā He is at home; he is in
be m#
my house, home
ndi be
household; people of the house; fellow-townsfolk
-be 2.
v.
cry out
Ọ nà-èbe kà ewu He is crying like a goat
òbube
crying
-be akwa
cry
-be àlìlì
mourn; lament
-bekù
appeal to; implore; cry to
-bekwàsị akwā
cry to; plead to
-be ọnwụ ōnwụ
cry in death-agony
be 3.
v.
stop (on reaching sufficiency):
Kà o be nọòfụ!That is enough!
Ò berō etu à It is more than this (lit. It does not stop at this
size, or at this number):
39
Ò bù etu à kà o bēlụ? Is it only this? Is this all?
-bè 1.
v.
cut; stop:
òbùbè
ending; stopping
ùwà ebè èbè
everlasting; for ever and ever
Bèelụchī,
personal name (‘Except God’)
Bèelụchukwu
bèelụ mà
only if; unless (not):
Agà m àbịa bèelụ mà ị bịa I will come only if you will come:
Bèelụ mà ì mè ife à m amā abịa Unless you do this, I will
not come
bèelụ sò
except:
Mmadù niīne bìàsì, bèelụ sò m All the people came except
me
-bèji
cut down
-bèka
cut out; cut into
-bèkalụ
cut part of (for)
-bèkanye
cut part and give
-bèkapù
cut off:
O bēkàpùlì aka He cut off (someone’s) hand
-bèkapùta
cut to pieces from
-bèkọ
cut together
-bèlì
cut into pieces
-bèlụ
subtract; deduct
-bènata
lessen; reduce:
Bènatalụ m#egō Reduce the price for me:
Àrụ nā-aya yā ebènatago His illness has abated; he is
convalescing:
Ejì m aka nà ọ nà-ebènata yā I hope she is improving (in
illness)
-bè nkenke
cut short; shorten; abbreviate (story, speech, etc.)
-bè nni
cut up food for eating
-bènye
cut and give
-bènyelụ okwu
join, intervene, in a discussion
-bè okwu
settle a dispute
-bèpù
cut off
-bè ugwù
circumcise; (fig.)
Mmanya èbègo ugwù The pot of wine is no longer full
ebè èbè
endless
ndù ebè èbè
everlasting life
mbè aka nnī
handful of food (e.g. fufu)
-bè 2.
v.
perch, settle (of bird)
-bèdo
perch on
-bègolu
perch on top of:
40
Nnùnụ à bègòlù n’enu osisi This bird perched on top of the
tree
-bèkwàsị
alight; perch
-bè m
catch by the leg (in wrestling)
ànùnù ebè
tree, supposed very poisonous, associated with ànùnù (lit.
ànùnù never settles on it)
-be-cha
v.
pare; peel (orange, yam, cassava):
Ọ nà-èbecha òlòma He is peeling an orange (cf. -ba-cha)
beèdì
n.
bed (E., cf. àkwà)
beèlùtù
n.
belt (E.)
-bi 1.
v.
live; dwell:
Na-èbi òfụma Goodbye (lit. keep living well)
òbibi
act of dwelling
ebe ōbibi
habitation; dwelling place
-bichi
occupy another’s house
-bidèbe
live near
-bifè (okè)
live too long (in a place)
-bi ichè
live separately
-bika ụnò
dwell in a house till it is old
-bikọ
live together
mbikọ
living together
-bimalụ
live for a long time in one place and become accustomed to it
-bimì
live far in
-bi n’ùdo
live in peace, harmony
-binyelụ
live with
-bisà
live extending far over an area:
Fâ bisà èbisà They live spread out over a wide area, wide
apart
-bisò
live alone
-bitè aka
A. live far away
B. live for long
-bi 2.
v.
cut; slice
òbibi
cutting
-bi abụbọ
cut vegetables
-bì 1.
v.
press; print
òbìbì
printing; pressing
-bì akwụkwọ
print, type paper, book
-bìdà
press down; reduce; compress
-bìdo
press; press on:
Bìdo akā n’obì ị Press your hand on your chest
-bìkwàsị aka
lay hands upon
-bìkwàsị aka n’isi
confirm (of church confirmation)
-bì ọmà
greet (by embracing (cf. -ti ọmà)
41
-bìpùta akwụkwọ
publish a book
-bìtụ aka
take hold of; grasp; press with hand lightly (e.g. as when
feeling the temperature of a person with hand)
-bì 2.
v.
A. cut
òbìbì
terminating; ending
-bì nkenke
shorten (a speech)
B. terminate; bring to an end
-bì okwu
settle a matter; resolve a quarrel
-bì- 3.
v.
borrow
-bìli
borrow something (especially money)
-bìnye
lend (especially money):
onye nā-ebìnye egō
money-lender
mbìbì
borrowing
-gba mbìbì
borrow; go about borrowing:
Ọ nà-àgba mbìbì
He is borrowing money
egō
-bì-chi
v.
stop; block; prevent
-bi-do
v.
begin
mbido
beginning; starting
mbido arò
beginning of the year:
Ọ gà-àbịa na mbido arò She will come at the beginning of
the year
abù mbido
opening song
isi mbido
beginning
-bì-gbọ
v.
shout loudly; roar; bawl at:
Bìgbọ nwatà afū nā-akpa āghala Shout at that child causing
confusion
bikō
int.
please! I beg you!
bìlìbìlì
n.
cloudiness; dimness
bìlìbìli chī
dawn(ing)
-bì-ni
v.
get up
-bìni ọtọ
stand up; rise up
mbìnite (n’ọnwụ)
resurrection; rising (from the dead)
-bịa
v.
come
òbịbịa
coming; advent
Òbịbịaā Kraìst
Advent
-bịachi anya
come regularly
-bịachìgha
come; return
bịadị(lì)
by the way, ...
-bịakèta
come nearer
-bịakwute
come near to (a person)
-bịalu
arrive at; reach
-bịa ǹso
approach
42
-bịa(sò) n’àzụ
come after
arō nā-abịa
A. next year (cf. arō òzọ)
B. coming year(s)
-sibịa
come from; come (by way of)
-bìà
v.
squeeze; compress
òbìbìà
squeezing; compressing
-bìàju
fill (by squeezing in)
-bìàkọ
cram; squeeze in; pack together
-bìànye
plunge, dip, poke, squeeze in
bìàlìì
n.
softness; smoothness
-bo 1.
v.
put on; load on; help to raise to head
-bo anya
stare at
-bo àpà
leave scar or mark on
-bogbu
overload
-bo ibu
lift a load onto someone’s head
-bo iru
stare at
-bokwàsị anya
stare at
-bo + 2.
v.:
-bo èbùbò, ebùbo
accuse (wrongly):
O bòlù mù èbùbo He accused me falsely
-bo 3.
v.
ext. suff. 1. (break) off (of something large and brittle and
capable of being reduced to ashes or powder, e.g. wall, floor)
-gbabo
break off:
Okpòlò igwē dī n’ime ụnò gà-àgbabo ajā The rod in the
room will break off a piece of the wall
-tibo
break off
-bọ
v.
rake surface; clear; dig up
òbụbọ
raking; digging;
-bọ ànì
scratch, paw the ground (of fowls, dogs)
-bọ ezi
clear a path, roads, of weeds
-bọ ilo
clear the village square
-bọkòta
gather together, pile up
-bọni abọni
dig up earth into beds for planting
-bọ ozu
exhume a body
-bọsa
spatter (e.g. with dust)
-bọsà
scatter (esp. grain)
-bọsàsị
scatter about
-bò
v.
A. divide; cut up (animal carcase); break:
Ì bògo chī? Good morning!
-bòkapù
cut out
-bòkasì
divide into pieces
-bọlì
divide into small pieces
B. pull apart
43
-bòcha
be inquisitive; dig out information
-bò ntòọō
pull down the lower eyelids and widen the eyes as a form of
mockery, to imply ‘I told you so!’ or ‘Just what I expected!’
(i.e. rejoicing over someone else’s misfortune)
-bò 2.
v.
revenge; avenge;
Bòlụ ife o mèlù gị Take revenge for what he did to you
-bògwalụ
take revenge:
Abògwalụgo m#ife o mèlù m I have taken revenge for what
he did to me
-bò mbò
seek revenge with blood:
Ndi à jèkò mbòThese people are going to seek blood revenge
-bò ọbò
avenge; revenge
bọòlù
n.
ball (E.)
-kpa bọòlù
dribble a ball
-bu 1.
v.
carry, bear (something big or heavy)
òbubu
carrying; bearing
-bu afọ imē
be pregnant
-bu agha
fight
-bu ajù
cause dizziness
-bu amụma
prophesy
-bu àpà
bear scar or mark
-bu asị je ogbè
gossip:
òbù àsị èje ogbè
a gossip
-budà
bring down; humble
-bufè
carry over, across
-buga
carry to; transport
-bugha(lị)
postpone
-bughàlị
carry badly
-bughalị anya
be mad, dizzy, giddy
-bukwàsị
place on
-bulu
carry, bear (something big or heavy)
-bulu n’isi
A. carry on head
B. undertake
-bu mmụō
be a priest; look after deity
-buna
carry home
-buni enū
lift up; carry shoulder-high:
Ogè ọ gbā-sịlị ọsọ fâ bùnì yà enū When he finished the race,
he was carried shoulder-high
-buni ijè
start on a journey
-bu n’isi
A. be youthful, in one’s prime:
O bù ume n’isi He is in the bloom of youth
B. know by heart
C. be responsible
44
-bu n’obì
learn by heart
-bu ọnū
fast
-bụpù
carry away
-bupùte
A. carry out (object)
B. bring out, display (e.g. dance)
-buruka
move; carry aside
-busà
scatter (heavy objects)
-busàsị
scatter about (heavy objects)
-busò agha
war against
-bute
bring
-butè aka
carry to a great distance
-bute ọyà
catch (a disease)
-bu ụkà
make trouble
ajù (-bu)
be dizzy
-bu + 2.
v.:
-bu isi, -bu isì
be first (to come)
-bu ụzò
lead; precede; used after another verb, = before:
-dịbu
exist before
-kwubulu
say beforehand
-bu 3.
infl. suff.
(emphatic past) formerly; once (but not now):
Ọ bùbù onye nkuzi He was once a teacher
Ị nà-àlabu mmānya? Have you been drinking wine before?:
Ọ zūtabugolu m#ewu He has bought a goat for me before
-bù +
v.
be large, stout
òbùbù
stoutness
-bù ibù
be stout, large, flourishing
-bù isi
be horrible; be horrified
-bù ogbè
be big
bùlòbùlo
n.
balloon (E.)
bùusù
n.
cat (E. puss, cf. nwa mba, nwa ōnogbò)
-bụ 1.
v.
be (used to identify two noun phrases with each other):
Abū m onye isī I am the leader
òbụbụ
becoming
-bụ èjìma
be twins
-bụgodu isi
be the head (first and foremost, before being anything else)
-bụgbàdo
be altogether, entirely
-bụ isi
be first, in the first place
-bụkọdo
be both in; carry both in
bụlụzịdụ
even if:
Ọ gà-àsọ m#mà ọ bụlụ nà Òfô mèlù òfụma na nnene
akwụkwọ arō à ọ bụlụzịdụ onye ǹke īkpe āzụ It would
please me if Ọfọ could pass this year’s examination, even if
he is in the last place
45
-bụ ògbò
be namesake, age-mate
-bụ onye ōsi ālị
be a witness
ọ bù ezīe nà
though; although (lit. It is true that...):
Ọ bù ezīe nà mû bù nwatà mà enwèlù m uchè Although
young, I am sensible
ọ bụlụgodụ
if; even if; though:
Ọ bụlụgodụ nà fâ rìlì nnē agà m ènwe ike ịkpāta nni gā-
ezùlu fā Even if they are many I shall be able to provide food
that will be sufficient for them
ọ bụlụzịa
if it happens; if it later happens:
Ọ bụlụzịa nà fâ kpò nwannē gị bịa, sòlu fā nàba If it
happens that they come with your brother, follow them home
Ọ bù màkà ǹke à therefore; hence (lit. It is because of this...)
òbụnà, òbùnà
any; every:
Nye m#ife ōbụnà Give me anything
ò bụnā, ò bụnāda,
even if; even; if:
ò bụnādụ
Bikō nye m#nni ò bụnāda ǹkè oyī Please give me some food,
even if it is cold
ò bụràba
even; even if; although; be it:
Bikō nye m#egō, ò bụràba afù Please give me some money,
be it (i.e. even if it is) only a half-kobo
-bụ 2.
v.
eject; project
-bụ asọ
spit
-bụ ọnū
curse
-bụ ọnụ mmīli
spit
-bụsa
drizzle (of rain)
-bụ + 3.
v.
scramble
-bụ abụ
scramble (for something)
-bụkọ
get all by scrambling
-bụsịsị
scramble madly (for something):
Fâ bùsìsìlì àbụsịsị There was a great scramble for it
-bụta
get by scrambling
-bụ ùbụ
scramble (for something)
-bù 1.
v.
break (hard covering, shell) to get out contents (e.g. egg,
ụkwà); hatch:
Òkụkò mụ gà-abū akwa yā n’ọnwa òzọ My hen will hatch
her eggs next month
òbùbù
hatching (of eggs)
-bù àkwa
peck open shell (of hen helping chickens to hatch)
-bù ụmù
peck open shell
-bù + 2.
v.
sing
-bù abù
sing (a solo)
46
-bù 3.
v.
uproot:
Ọ nà-abù nkwū He is uprooting a palmtree
òbùbù
uprooting
-bù àbù
root up (cassava and cocoyam)
-bùnite
uproot
-bù osisi
uproot tree
bùù
n.
quietness
CH.
-cha 1.
v.
A. be light- or reddish-coloured (as opposed to being dark)
-cha ànyàlì
be an albino
-cha èdo èdò
be yellow in colour
-chagha
turn pale
-chaghalị
be light in colour; change colour; fade; be bloodless (of
person)
-chaghalị anya
change expression, colour of eyes (through sorrow, anger,
surprise, etc.)
-chagha(lị) iru
change colour, expression (cf. -chaghalị anya)
cha isi awō
turn grey (of black hair turning grey)
-cha mmanụ
be reddish orange (as oil)
mmanụ
-cha ntụ ntụ
be ash-grey in colour
-cha òbàla òbàlà
be red, blood-red
-cha òcha
be fair in complexion
-cha ufie ūfie
be red
-dị òcha
be fair in complexion; be white, clean
ọcha
white; light-coloured
òcha
whiteness; light colour
B. be(come) ripe, as shown by change of colour (of fruit, e.g.
orange, banana; contrast -ka, ripen or mature by getting hard,
as maize):
Ọ nà-àcha ācha It is ripening (and changing colour)
-chakpọ
be fully ripe
-chalò àchalò
be fully ripe
-chatò
be over-ripe
osè ọcha
ripe (red) pepper
-cha 2.
v.
wash, scrub (hand, foot, hard object); clean off; be clean, pure
(cf. -sa 1.)
òchịcha
washing; scrubing
-chacha
clean (stronger than -cha)
-chachanye
wash into
47
-chagbu ọnya
heal a sore by washing
-chapù
wash off
-wụcha (àrụ)
wash, wash clean, cleanse (body)
-wụchapù (àrụ)
wash (the body) thoroughly
-wụchapùta
wash thoroughly
-cha 3.
v.
shine (as sun); glisten; glitter; blaze; beat down (as sun);
scorch (of sun, fire, hot iron, etc.) (cf. - 2., but stronger)
òchịcha
scorching; beating (of sun)
Anwụ chàlù The sun shone
-chachị
dazzle:
Anwụ chàchìlì m anya The sun dazzled me
-chagbu
cause to wither (by heat); scorch
-chani
flare up; blaze; force away by heat
-chanwụ
wither
-cha ọkụ
be red-hot (of metal)
-cha 4.
v.
open up; reveal
-chalàpù anya
open eyes wide; stare at; look sternly at
-chalụ àba
lie flat on the back
-cha n’anwū
be apparent, obvious, conspicuous (cf. -gba n’anwū)
-cha- 5.
ext. suff. 1.
partial (doing of action); act (on relatively small object or
small part of object):
Tàchalụ nwantịntị Bite off a little bit.:
Tìchalụ yā Slap him gently.:
Ì nà-ètichalụ m#àbụ m òyì gị? Are you taking liberties with
me by slapping me?:
Nàchalụ yà akwụkwọ Snatch the book from her.:
Bikō fụchàpụ m#ife dābà m n’anya Please help me by
blowing something out from my eye
-cha 6.
ext. suff. 1.
thoroughness
-kachasị
surpass entirely (cf. -kasị surpass)
-nụcha
hear well (cf. -nụ hear)
-ruchanye
pour all into (cf. -runye pour into)
-chà 1.
v.
give place; give way
-chàlụ n’ụzò
let one pass, give way to
-chà n’ùsọ
go aside; give way
-chà 2.
v.
cut (slang)
-gbubè, -bè
more commonly used)
-chà akwà
cut cloth (e.g. into yards)
-chà akwụkwọ
cut paper
-chà elili
cut rope
chalekū, chelekū,
n.
A. Black Tamarind (Dialium guineense Willd.), tree with
ichēku
small edible dark-brown fruits which grow in clusters
ichēku oyìbo
Indian Tamarind (Tamarindus indica Linn.)
48
B. charcoal made from it
cham
n.
dane-gun
-che 1.
v.
wait; watch for; watch over, protect, guard, shelter (in good
sense); lie in wait for, ambush (in bad sense)
òchiche
waiting; preserving; protecting
-chebe, -chelụ
guard; keep; preserve
-chebe ntì
listen
-chedo
protect; shelter
nchedo
defence; protection; sheltering
-chedo mmilī
hold water
-che iru
be opposite
-chekàta
wait a long time
-chekwa(ba)
look after; take care of
-chekwa iwe
bear malice
-chekwata
save (money)
nchekwata
saving(s) (of money, etc)
-che ǹche
keep watch; watch; keep vigil:
Ọ nà-èche nche He keeps watch (over something); He keeps
vigil.:
A gà-èche yā nche It will be watched
-che ǹ
A. act as regent; administer during interregnum
B. give shade
-che ntì
listen
-cheràba
wait a long time
ndi nche atụlū
shepherds
òche ānwụ
umbrella; sunshade
òche ǹ
anything giving shade (lit. giver of shade)
Òrànàǹche
male name (lit. all at watch)
-che 2.
v.
present; offer
-che iru
face
-chelịta
face (of a person)
nchelịta
facing; opposing
nchelịta irū
opposite; facing
-che n’iru
present; place before
-che ọjị
give kola
òche ògù
praying mantis (lit. the one offering fight)
-chè
v.
think; ponder; meditate
òchìchè
thinking; pondering; meditating
-chè echìchè
think; think deeply on an abstract problem; ponder; meditate
-chèfù
forget
-chègbu
worry; care; be anxious
-chèghalị
reconsider; repent
nchèghalị
repentance
49
-nchèkasị
worry greatly; wear out oneself with thinking
nchèkasị
anxiety; care; worry
-chèkwube
trust
nchèkwube
trust; confidence; trustworthiness; faithfulness
-chèta
remember
nchèta
memorial; remembrance
abù nchèta
memorial song
ife nchèta
memorial
-chè uchè
think; wonder; doubt; be perplexed
-chèzọ
forget
nchèzọ
forgetfulness
chelekū
see chalekū
chi 1.
n.
A. (in general) animate, purposeful essence; procreative life-
force
B. (specifically) life-force or spiritual essence of an
individual, which with he has made a pre-birth contract that
determines his life-pattern:
Chukwû kèlù gị, kèe chi nwē i God created you and created
your personal chi:
Òfu nnē nà-àmụ, mà òfu chī adī ejì The same mother, yes;
but not the same chi:
Chi m, ekwēnaà! My chi, don’t let it happen (exclamation
when danger threatens):
Di nwaànyì bù chi yā A woman’s husband is her personal chi
(i.e. directs her life). A good chi is responsible for one's
success, and a bad chi for one's failure:
Akà m gì ka chī gị I am greater than you and your chi:
Abù m onye ajō chi I am a man of a bad chi
ego chī
money ritually received for one's chi
ewu chī
a goat given to one's mother for her personal chi, which must
never be killed:
Ewu chī nwaànyì bù òfu ụzò nnwā A woman’s chi-goat is as
sacred as a child
òfu chī
(fig.) having the same character or behaviour (of two people)
ògbụ chī
fig-tree planted near dwelling to represent one's chi
B. (specifically and more particularly) life-essence of the
universe; God:
Chi ọma
God the Good:
mà Chi kweif God allows. Usually qualified as Chukwu (i.e.
Chi Ukwu, Great God, see separate entry) or Chinēkè (i.e.
Chi nā-ekè God who creates)
chi 2.
n.
day (i.e. day time)
chi abòọ
day breaks
chi ànaā
It is evening; the day declines
50
chi èfoo
day breaks
chi èjimìe
It is late evening, night
chi èjiri
The day declines
chi ekùfoo
It is getting light (of day)
chi emìe
It is late evening or night
chi èrulu
It is afternoon; the day draws in; the evening comes on
(idiomatic)
chī jìrìlì
Darkness (night) is coming on: (fig.)
Chī jìrìlì n’òbòdò taàtà Someone very important died in
town today
chi ōfifo, ōfufo
period after daybreak as light grows stronger; daybreak
bìlìbìli chī
dawn(ing)
Ì sago chī? Good morning
-fo chi
last till dawn; last till the following morning
Kà chi foo Good night
ùfochī
dawn; dayspring; next day
-chi 3.
v.
make (king, minister); crown (cf. -chị); take title
-chi echi(chi)
take or bestow a title
-chi ezè
become, be installed Chief or King:
Kà ànyị je ebe a nà-èchi ezè Let us go to the place where a
Chief is being installed
-chi mmụō
take a title of a god
-chi ọzō
take a title take ọzō title (lit. take honour)
-chizù
become fully qualified; take the highest (hierachical) title:
Ukò Chukwu ǹke à èchizùgo This priest has become full
qualified (i.e. is now a full priest)
-chi 4.
v.
A. show; present:
Bikō chi ọkū Please show the light
B. put drink to someone's lips
-chi 5.
v.
block
-chi anya
be well-woven, tight
-chi ntì
be deaf, obstinate, disobedient
-kpùchi
cover
-chi + 6.
v.
report; make report of
-chi ikpe
complain; make complaint
-chi + 7.
v.
A. tap (palm wine)
B. cup; draw blood
-chi ochi
cup; draw blood
òchi
cupping, drawing blood with horn or horn-shaped calabash
from any part of the body to relieve congestion, swelling,
pain, etc.
-chi 8.
ext. suff. 1.
in place of
-kùchi
take wife of dead relative
51
-tinyechi
put in place of
-chì 1.
rub forcefully; scrub
òchìchì
scrubbing
-chì akwà
scrub cloth
-chìchapù
wipe off; rule off
-chìchapù anya
stare; glare
-chìchapù obì
be broadminded; clear the mind of prejudice
-chìfịa àrụ
abrase the skin
-chìtụlụ àrụ
muzzle; rub against the body (of animals)
-chì- 2.
move
-chì àzụ
return; turn back
-chìgha àzụ
return
-chìghalị
turn round and round; be undecided:
Ndi aghā ayī
Our troops retreated
chìghàlù àzụ
-chìpù
start on a journey
-chì 3.
(slang):
-chì jọòbù
cheat; unlawfully use part of another's time in attending to
one's needs (e.g. as a clerk who secretly fills in football
coupons in the office); do petty job as a sideline
chiǹchì
n.
bedbug (Yoruba ìdun)
chinchìǹ
n.
"chinchin"; i.e. a type of small biscuit, fried hard in small
pieces
-chị 1.
v.
A. carry, take (many things)
òchịchị
taking, carrying (many things)
afọ ōchịchị
diarrhoea
-chị aka jī
gather in yam tendrils
-chịdèbe
bring near
-chịghalị uchè
consider; ponder; meditate; put one's mind to
-chị inyemè
marry a plurality of wives
-chịkọ
gather together
-chịkọlụ
take the whole number for oneself
-chịkọta
gather and give entirely; gather together and bring a whole
number
-chịlị
take to oneself
-chịni
lift up (several things)
-chịni aka
A. lift up hands
B. take off the hands; desist from
-chịnita aka
hold up the hands
-chị òkwè
A. divine with beads, nuts
B. pay divine homage to òkwè; hence village name (Isi òkwè)
-chị òmù
have a strong current (of river)
-chịpù
take away (several things)
52
-chịta
bring (several things)
B. lead; be the leader (e.g. of a group)
-chị ụmù
look after children or young of animals
C. rule; govern; reign; direct
òchịchị
rule; government; ruling:
Ọchịchị Nàìjirìà
the Government of Nigeria
-chị (achị)
rule; govern
-chịdebe
cease reigning, ruling
-chịkọbà
rule
òchì agha
A. military officer; commanding officer; military leader
B. male name
ndi nā-achị āchị
the rulers; members of the government
-chị + 2.
v.
be slippery
-chị achị
be slippery:
Ebe à nà-àchị āchị This place is slippery
-chì
v.
grunt; make sound with effort
òchìchì
grunt; sound made with effort
òchìchì akwā
hard sobbing
òchìchị nsị
defecation with grunts:
Onye ọyà afù nà-achī nsị The sick man is defecating with
grunts
-chì (àchì)
cry, chirp (as a cricket)
-chì akwa
cry very much; sob (harder than -kwa akwa)
-chì ọchì
laugh hard or uproariously (no vowel suffix; less common
than -mụ amụ)
chìm, chìm
n.
firm
chịmchìm,
strong; upright; firm:
chịmchịm
Ndi aghā anyī nò chịmchìm n’òbòdò afù Our troops remain
in firm control of the city
-dị chìm
be firm:
Oche ǹke à dì chìm
This chair is very firm
-kwụ chìm
be firm; stand firm; be firmly established or secure in a place
(of person)
-chò
v.
display articles for sale (also -chòbe)
-chọ
v.
A. want; desire; seek; need:
Ugbọ m#chòlù ndokwa My car needs repairs
òchịchọ
seeking; desire; wish
oke ōchịchọ
excessive desire; greed
-chọba
seek
-chọ egō
seek for money (by any means):
Ọ nà-àchọ egō ri nnē He tries to make money by hook or by
crook
53
-chọfè
search more than necessary
-chọ mmā
decorate; ornament
-chọ okwu
provoke, seek a quarrel
-chọpùta, -chọòta
search out; find; discover
-chọsà
seek everywhere
-chọta
find
-chọ ùdo
seek for peace
-chọ ụla
go and sleep with friend or relative
B. be in season, on heat (of animals):
Ewu Ndù àchọgo; a gà-àkpụgalụ yā mkpi Ndụ's goat is on
heat; it will be taken to a he-goat
-chu 1.
v.
be dull, half-done; fade; tarnish
-chu echu
be dull, half-done (of colour of half-cooked food); fall short of
expected standard (esp. in colour); be dull, morose, half-baked
(of person); be degrading (of action)
-chu ichuchu
be unripe
-chu ụla
be wakeful, sleepless
-churu
fade; tarnish:
Ìyèli à èchurugo The earring has tarnished (stronger than
èchugo)
-chu + 2.
v.
be greedy, lazy; gorge
-chu + 3.
v.
fetch (usu. water)
-chube
go away to fetch
-chu iyī
go to a spring or stream to draw water
-chu mmilī
go to fetch water
-chu + 4.
v.
persevere
-chu uchu
persevere; be industrious
Chukwu, Chuku
n.
God (chi 1. + ukwu). In Nri belief, Chukwu has four major
manifestations: Anyanwū, the sun, which represents Chukwu
as everywhere present, all-powerful, and the source of
knowledge; Agbàlà, manifested in the fertility of the earth
and its creatures; Chi, the ability of living beings to procreate;
Òkìkè, the never-ending process of creation (Onwuejeogwu
1974:82)
Chukwu Ābịàmà
God the Provider
Chukwu ēmeka
A. God has done well
B. male name
Chukwu Òkìkè
God the creator
Ikeē Chukwu
A. the power of God
B. male name
Ukò Chukwu
(Christian usage) minister; pastor; deacon; priest
-chụ 1.
v.
drive; pursue
òchụchụ
driving; pursuing
54
-chụ ala
wean
-chụ anụ
chase animals
-chụchìgha
chase, drive back
-chụdà
drive down
-chụgo
drive up
-chụkọ nta
hunt together
-chụmì
drive far away
-chụna(ta)
drive home
-chụni
stir up (birds, etc.)
-chụ nta
hunt; go hunting
-chụ ọsọ
drive; pursue
-chụpù
drive away, out
-chụsà
scatter:
Ǹke à chụsàsìlì egwū nā-atụ m#This dispels my fears
-chụ + 2.
v.:
-chụ àjà
offer joyless sacrifice to evil spirits (sometimes connected
with 1., as the sacrifice is to drive out the spirits)
-chụ + 3.
v.:
-chụ ajù
be, feel giddy
D
-da + 1.
v.
warm; heat up
-da n’ọkụ
warm (soup, etc.)
-da ọkụ
brand; cauterize
-dazè
melt slowly
-da 2.
v.
press (cloth)
-dakọ
press (cloth, to dry it)
-da + 3.
v.:
-da anya
shirk one’s duty:
Ọ nà-àda anya ọlū He is shirking the work
-da ǹdamanya
be lazy; malinger; loaf about
-dà 1.
v.
fall; befall; occur; happen to (of something tragic); suffer
from; fail; set (of sun):
Ògù dàlù A fight broke out:
Akụ mmīli nà-adà Hailstones are falling
òdìdà
fall; fall of a great or rich person; failure
òdìdà anyanwū,
West; sunset
òdìda chī
-dà àba
fall on the back
-dà adà, ada
fall; fall down (usually of persons):
Ọ dàlù adà She fell down
55
-dà aka
lay hands on
-dà àkàkpò
be stunted (of person):
Ọ dàlù àkàkpò He is stunted in growth
-dà àkwụkwù
have epilepsy; be epileptic; have epileptic fits
-dàbà
fall in with; correspond; be in agreement with
-dàbànye
fall into; match; correspond
-dàbe
support; rest back on
-dàbelụ
lean upon
-dàbepù
fall off from (of part)
-dàchasị
lose all one’s resources; be liquidated (business); fail in all
subjects (in exam)
Ọlụ ānyị amā-adàchasị ncha Our business cannot fail
completely
-dàchi
fall across (so as to block)
-dàchìgha àzụ
fall back sideways; rebound horizontally; backslide (e.g. as
child’s progress):
Àda mū nà-àdachìgha āzụ n’akwụkwọ My eldest daughter
is falling behind at school
-dàdo
lean against; fall upon:
Nkwụ afù dàdòlù n’enu ụnòThat palmtree fell on top of the
house
-dàfèga
fall across something, e.g. stream
-dàfo
clear and open up as a result of a fall (e.g. of tree)
-dàgbu
fall heavily upon, so as to kill
ndàgbu
a fall of something heavy so as to kill; fall occasioning death
(usually of another object but can be of object falling)
ǹdàgbu ōnwe
death (by falling)
-dàghalị
toss about; be restless:
Ogè ọ ŋùsìlì mmanya, ò na-ādàghalị When he had taken the
palmwine, he started to fall about
-dà ibì
have hydrocele
-dàji
fall across and break:
Ogbè ụkwà adàjigo mkpọ A fruit of ụkwà has broken the
walking stick.:
Mkpọ igwè m dàjìlì n’ùtụtù My steel walking-stick fell and
snapped in the morning
-dàjina
have a hole, hollow, groove (of wall)
ndàjina
hollow place, groove (in wall, etc.)
-dàkọlịta
be in harmony with (lit. sound together or fall together)
ndàkọlịta
harmony
-dàkọ ọnụ
coincide; be in harmony
-dàkụlụ
fall against
-dàkpò
attack; fall upon (e.g. of house)
56
-dàkpò
fall upon violently; pounce upon (of people fighting)
-dakpò àrụ
feel ill
-dàkpọ
fall into ruins; fall down flat
-dàkpu
fall in:
Nwoōkoyè adàkpugo n’ọnụ Nwookoye has fallen into a hole
-dàkpudo
fall upon
-dàkwàsị
fall on; befall:
Ọ dàkwàsìlì ya It fell on him, or it befell him (of fate, etc.)
-dàkwepù
snap
-dàkwepù amū
laugh loudly; burst out laughing
-dàlụ
fall short of what was expected
-dàlụ aka
take by the hand
-dà m
be lazy; be exhausted, worn out, very tired
-dà mkpùna
have hernia
-dà n’aka
take by the hand
-dànarị
fall off; slip off; fall from
-dà ǹgwọlō
be lame
-dà nra
fine:
Fâ gà-adā yā nra They will fine him (cf. -li nra)
-dà n’ụkwụ
happen in one’s presence
-dà ǹzuzō
hide oneself
-dànye
give in; submit; fall into
-dà òbùlùbù
fall upon one in a mass
ǹda òbùlùbù
falling upon in a mass:
Fâ bìàkwùtèlù yà nà ǹda òbùlùbù They came falling upon
him in a mass
-dà ogbènyà
be very poor
-dà ogbī
be dumb
-dà òbò
be idle (= -dì òbò)
-dà ọbù
fall into pit trap
-dà ọkpụ āba
fall on the back
-dà ọmà
embrace
-dapù
fall off (of whole, from a place)
Akwụkwọ afù àdapùgoThat paper has fallen off (e.g. the
table)
-dapùta
happen; occur unexpectedly
ife ndapùta
event; occurrence
-dàsịsị
drop one by one:
Akwụ nà-adàsịsị Palm-nuts keep on falling
-dà ùbìàm
be poor, a pauper
-dàwa
fall and break
-dàwụsa
fall against; sprinkle; scatter upon (as rain)
mmilī ǹdà arò the first rain of the year
57
ndàbebe
support; stay; upholding:
Ndàbebe ụnō à sìlì ike The supporting posts of this house are
strong
-dà + 2.
v.:
-dà ùdà
sound
-dà + 3.
v.:
-dà ọnū
be expensive
daa
n.
day by day; daily:
Ọ nà-èkwu ife à daa He says this all the time
kwà daa
every day:
Ànyị nà-ème yā kwà daa We do it daily:
ụbòsì daa
every day; daily; day by day
-dà-jụ
v.
be quiet: calm, peaceful
Ọ dàjụgo
It is quiet:
Ọ dàjùlù àdàjụ
It is very quiet
ndàjụ
calm; quiet; fricanaùity:
Ndàjụ adūrọ ebe à There is no quiet here
-dàjụ obì
propitiate; appease; atone
dàalụ
int.
thank you; a form of greeting
dàalụ nù,
a form of greeting (to more than one person in the same
dàalụkwọ nù
place); I greet you all
dàalụ sọò
thank you very much!
dàalụ zị
form of greeting used by a person leaving a place to the
person he is leaving; dàalụ zị nù such a greeting directed to
more than one person
dàalụ ọlū
salutation to those working
dandā
n.
sugar-ant (cf. arụrụ ọcha)
-de 1.
v.
mark; write; press
òdide
writing; pressing; marking
-de akwà
iron clothes
-de akwụkwọ
write letter
òde ākwụkwọ
clerk; letter-writer
-debà
write into
-dechapù
erase; cancel
-dedo
write upon
-defìè
write incorrectly
-degalụ akwụkwọ,
write (letter) to
letà
-dekwu
write more
-de letà
write letter
-delụ akwụkwọ,
A. write (letter) to
letà
B. help to write a letter
58
-denye
write in(to); enter by writing; include
-depùta
write out; copy out:
Depùta ǹke à Copy this out
ndepùta
edition
-deta letà
write letter to the speaker
-detò
lampoon; write against; libel
-de ùlì
decorate the body with ùlì
-de- 2.
v.
put; place
-debe
A. appoint; place
B. take care of; keep; observe
-debe ọnū duu
be silent
-debe uchè
think; imagine
-delụ duu
stop talking; remain silent
-de n’ile
taste; place on the tongue
-detụ ọnū
taste
-de 3.
v.
sound; rumble
-de mmilī
threaten rain (with thundering)
-demù
murmur; mutter; growl; grumble
-derube
rumble; sound around
-de 4.
see -gi-de
-dè 1.
v.
be soft (as ripe fruit); be soft and wet, soggy (as muddy
ground, wet clothes); dissolve in water (cf. -di-dè)
-dè ǹ
be sickly, delicate
-dèsị mmilī
drip (as of wet clothes)
-dè 2.:
-dè ǹ
disappear
-de-be, -do-be
ext. suff. 1.
stop (cf. -be 3.)
-bedebe
stop crying:
O bedebego kà ò nà-èbelịsị? Has she stopped (weeping) or is
she still weeping?
-jedebe
come to a stop:
Ebe à kà o jēdebelụ It was here that he stopped
-dè-be, -dò-be
ext.suff. 1
near(er)
-bịadèbè
come nearer:
Bịadèbè m#Come nearer to me
-jedèbè
go, move nearer:
Jedèbe ọkū Go nearer the fire
deème
int.
thank you!
Deì
n.
name of one of the founding fathers of one of the nine
quarters of Onitsha; hence Umùdeì, a village in Onitsha
founded by him
ụmùdeì
freeborn children; children of a king or chief
di
n.
husband
59
di ānyị
such a one; so and so!; (used to address a man, or less often to
refer to him, either where name is unknown or by wives
referring to husband)
di jī
farmer; one who successfully cultivates much ground
dikē
strong or courageous person
di mgba
A. wrestler
B. convulsions (because the child suffering a convulsive
attack behaves like a person who is wrestling with an unseen
wrestler)
di mkpà
strong (young) man, originally one who could cultivate a large
number of yams (stored on mkpà)
di ntā
hunter
nwa di ntā
hunter’s attendant
di nwēnu
owner; master
Dinwēnu ānyị,
Our Lord; the Lord:
Dinwēnu
Jesù bù Dinwēnu ānyịJesu is our Lord
di òchì
palm wine tapper
di ōkpa
term of respectful address to men in general, esp. an elderly
one; master
di òkpà
cock
di ọkpala
A. first-born son
B. eldest man, and therefore priest, in a patrilineage
-la di
have sexual intercourse (of woman); be promiscuous, sexually
loose (of woman)
-na be dī
A. (of woman just married) be married; go, return to
husband’s house
B. (in normal sense) go, return to husband or husband’s house
-nụ di
marry (of a woman)
nwunyē di
co-wife; ‘mate’
ọzò dimgba
gorilla
-dì
v.
endure; be patient
-dìdo obì
be patient
-dì èdì
endure:
Ị gà-edī yā èdìYou have to endure it
-dì ǹdìdì
be patient
dibìà
n.
native doctor; a member of the professional corporate group
of traditional medicine men and diviners
dibìà afā
a native doctor who specializes in divination
dibīa àjà
a dibìà who specializes in preparing the various sacrifices
associated with the alūsị and the mmụō
dibìà ọgwù
medicine man who specializes in medical treatment
nwa dibìà
native doctor’s attendant; native doctor
60
-di-de
ext.suff. 1
continuously; persistently
-jedide
keep going on
-kwudide
continue speaking
-kwụdide
continue standing
-dì-dè
v.
soak; soften:
Achìchà ị bànyèlù nà mmilī n’ùtụtù èdìdègoThe biscuit you
steeped in water in the morning has become soft
-dìdè obì
A. make to feel sick; cause nausea
B. yearn over; be affectionate (lit. soften heart)
(obì) -dìdè
feel sick; feel nausea:
Obì nà-èdidē m#I feel nausea
obì ndidè
nausea (caused by indigestion)
-di-nà
v.
lie down; have sexual intercourse with; sleep with, a woman:
A nà-èdinā x A (a man) sleeps with x (a woman)
-dinàji onu
strain or crick the neck while sleeping:
Edīnàjì m onu I strained my neck while sleeping
-dinàkọ
have sexual intercourse (lit. lie together)
-dinà mmakpù
lie on the stomach
-dinà àba
sleep on the back
-dinà nkọ
lie on the side
àkwà edinà
bed
-dị
i.v.
be (in a state of); have (a certain quality)
òdịdị
A. appearance; likeness; being; form; shape
B. taking one’s part, siding with:
Ọ dì egwù
It is tragic, wonderful, marvellous:
Ọ dì ifelē
It is shameful:
Ọ dì n’ìwu
It is illegal
Ife à i mè ò dì anyaā? This thing you did, how was it?
-dị ànì
be humble, low, of low estate, contemptible
-dịba
begin to live
-dịbu
exist before
Ọ dìbù àdịbu It has been existing
òdìbù àdịbu
something (e.g. habit, custom) that has been existing for a
long time
-dịchili
block
-dịdèbe
be near:
Unò nwoke afù dịdèbèlù ụnò ọgwùThe man’s house is near
the hospital
-dị èbùbè
be esteemed
-dị enū
be out of reach
-dịfù
exist; be well
-dị ichè
be different
-dị ike
be able
61
-dị imē
be pregnant
-dị kà
seem probable, as if; resemble; look like:
Ọ dì m kà m fùlù ya I imagined that I saw him
Ọ dì kà ò fùlù mụ n’anya He seems to like me
-dị kà àgàsị
be as if
-dịlị
belong to
-dịlịlị
remain; continue
-dị mkpà
be necessary
-dị mmā
be good; please
ịdīmmā
goodness
-dị mmā n’anya
be a pleasant sight
-dị n’aka
be responsible
-dị n’anya
desire; wish
-dị ndù
live; be alive
-dị nkọ
be sharp
-dị n’obì
be dear to one; be in one’s heart
-dị n’òfu
be in agreement, at one:
Bìanù kà ànyị dị n’òfu Come and let us agree together
-dị nsọ
be holy, separate
-dị ǹzuzō
be secret
-dị nwaayò
be meek, calm, quiet, humble:
Ọ dì nwaayò She is gentle
-dịnyelụ
side with
-dị oke ọnū
be dear, expensive
-dị òkìlìkili
be round
-dị òbò
be idle, lazy (= -dà òbò)
-dị òcha
be pure, clean
ịdīọcha
purity; cleanness
-dị ògò
be grateful, polite, modest, well-behaved, courteous, nice-
looking
-dị òkòlòkọlọ
be round in shape
-dịrị
get better; recover from illness
-dị uchu
be industrious, diligent
-dị ùfù
be painful, distressing
-dị ụjō
be cowardly; fear
-dị walala
be narrow
-dịwanye mmā
improve
àrụ ikē nà òdìmmā
(good and) well-being
ọ dì kà
probably; it looks as though, if
òdìnàànì
custom
-dị 2.
aux.v.
(probably originates from -dị 1., in Onitsha used only in the
negative; it marks the progressive or habitual negative verb
forms:
62
Chikē adī-àbịa (So) Chike is not coming/does not usually
come:
Nkịtā adī àta ọjī Dogs never eat kolanuts
adī àma āma
perhaps; maybe; in case (lit. one never knows)
dịnwọò, dịọò
dem.
this (emphatic):
Amārọ m ife dịnwọò I do not know this thing
-do + 1.
v.
set up; make; place; arrange:
Kà ànyị doo ife à èdoo Let us arrange this thing properly
-do Agbàlà
perform routine sacrifice to the god Agbàlà
-do ajā
build a wall
aja ōdido
wall
-do àjà
place object(s) of sacrifice in a place
-do akanya
make thatch
-do alūsị
erect a shrine
-do ànì
settle a country; establish place
-dogbu
kill or spoil by placing
-dogha
change; change place of; re-arrange; reverse; turn (something)
round
-doghalị
change place
-do iru
face; turn face to incline towards
-do iyī
place an object or objects, as charm or something obnoxious,
on property in the belief that the charm will bring evil on a
person who defies the charm and steals the property; protect
an object by a fetish
-dokwa
A. make peace; settle quarrel
B. arrange; decorate
-dolu ànì
put down
-dolu àrụ ànì
take things quietly
-doni
set up; build up
-do nsọ
consecrate
-dozi
arrange; prepare; settle; repair
-dozi ànì
remove pollution from a community
-dozi okwu
settle a case
-do 2.
v.
ext. suff. 1. against; fast (in, on) (implies continuity; cf. -do
1.)
-gàdo
hold firm (with fingers or claws)
-gbabìdo
hold up; waylay; intercept (lit. run to a halt against)
-kwụdo
stand firm:
Òtu ānyị àkwụdosigo ikē Our club is now on a firm basis
-mado
stick to:
Ò gịnī màdò gì n’àgbà? What is sticking to your jaw?
-nòdo
sit on, against:
Ị nòdò m n’ụkwụ You are sitting on my foot
63
-tado
grip with teeth:
Arụrû tàdò gì na ntì An ant has got its pincers into your ear
-dò
v.
be clear, settled, shady; settle, become clear (of liquids)
-dò anya
be clear:
Ife à dò m anya This thing is clear to me
-dò àrụ
A. recuperate
B. get stout
-dò èdò
be clear (of liquids)
-dò ǹ
be shady (of place)
doo
n.
quiet; calm; in an orderly, quiet manner:
Ebe à dì doo It is quiet here
-dọ 1.
v.
draw; pull
òdịdọ
pull(ing)
-dọ aka na ntì
advise; warn
-dọ akpịlī
long after
-dọbè
break off (leaves or stalks of a plant)
-dọbì
break off by pulling
-dọchìgha àzụ
give a setback to; retard
ndọchìgha āzụ
setback:
Ǹke à bù ndọchìgha āzụ This is a setback
-dọdo
hold fast
-dọ dọònịdō,
pull against one another; have a tug-of-war
dọòlịdō
-dọgò
pull crooked or wrongly
-dọgbu
strangle
-dọgha
change position of something
ndọgha
reverse; changing of position (of something by somebody)
-dọka
be torn; tear
ndọka
tearing; rending
-dọka akwụkwọ
dismiss a case (lit. tear paper)
-dọka anụ
tear, rend (flesh)
-dọkalị
tear from and take
-dọkalì
tear in pieces
-dọkasị
tear to pieces; to torn to pieces
-dọkọ
pull together
-dọkpụ
drag; draw; pull along (e.g. goat with rope round its neck)
-dọkpụpù
draw out; pluck out forcibly
-dọlì
tear into pieces
ndọlì
tearing into pieces
-dọlụ
attract; convey
-dọ mbọ
tear with nails
-dọ mmà ọdū
saw a piece of timber by pulling (this is usually done by two
people -one in a pit across which the timber is laid, and the
64
other at ground-level)
-dọ n’agha
take prisoner in war
òdịdọ n’agha
captivity as result of war
-dọ ndọ
A. persist; haggle; bargain
B. have a tug-of-war
-dọ ǹdùdò
argue; draw out a discussion
òdọ ǹdùdò
argumentative, difficult, disagreeable person; fretful, testy
child
-dọnì
wrinkle; be wrinkled (used for a material which has been
stretched beyond its elastic limit, and then relaxed)
ndọnì
wrinkle
-dọ nkì
cut a face mark
-dọ ntì
warn; admonish; exhort (cf. -dọ aka na ntì)
-dọpù
draw out
-dọpùta
draw out; pull out; rescue
-dọsà
pull apart or into pieces
-dọsò
pull after
-dọtị
be extended; extend
-dọtị ụta
draw a bow (ready to shoot)
ndọtị
elasticity
-dọwa
rend, tear (of cloth, not flesh)
-dọ 2.
v.
stay; place
-dọba
put down, set down
-dọlụ adọlụ
remain; be left over; be stagnant (of water)
-dọlụ kìlìlì
be round, spherical (as a ball)
-dọnò, -dọ n’ànì
sit down
-dọnòrube
sit around
-dọnye
lay in; put into
-dọ ọdù
sit down (in speaking to children):
Nne m#nà-àdọ n’ọdù akwà màkà nà ọ nà-èbu akwà My
mother usually sits at the cloth stall because she deals in
clothes
dọkịtà
n.
doctor (E.)
dọònịdō, dọòlịdō
n.
tug-of-war
dòtị 1.
n.
catapult
-gba dòtị
shoot catapult:
Dòtị kà o jìlì gbagbu nnùnù afù It was a catapult that he
killed the bird with
dòtị 2.
n.
dirt; filth (coll., E. dirty)
-lu dòtị
be dirty, filthy:
Ndù nà-èlu dòtị Ndụ is usually dirty
-du 1.
v.
lead; accompany
òdudu
leading; guidance
65
-du aka
help
-dubà
introduce; lead in, into
-dufìè
mislead
-dufù
seduce; lead astray
-duga
accompany
-dukọta
muster:
Dùkọta ndi aghā afù màkà nnene Muster the troops for
inspection
-dulu
accompany; seduce
-duna
lead; escort home
du onye ìsì
lead a blind person
-dupù
lead out; accompany; escort; push off a boat
-duruka
lead a little way
-kpa ǹdu
walk together; be companions; escort
-du + 2.
v.
put out (roots, shoots)
-du anakā
put out shoots, suckers
-dudo
take root
-du 3.
v.
ext. suff. 1. first; beforehand; precede (cf. -godu, and perhaps
-du 1.)
-kpọtadu
bring first (something capable of self-movement)
-wètadu
bring first (i.e. bring something before doing something else,
or before doing something else to the thing brought):
Wètadu yā tupu ì tọghee yā Bring it first before you open it
-dù
v.:
-dù-dù
be in a dull state
-gbadùba iru
be morose, sulky, downcast:
Gịnī mèlù nị jì gbadùba irū? Why are you sulky?
-kpọdùlu
remain in dull uncheerful state; be dull and sad:
Amārọ m ife mēlụ Okeēke o jì wèe kpọdùlu n’ụnò jụ nà
nya amā eje akwụkwọ I don’t know what happened to
Okeeke to make him stay dull at home and refuse to go to
school
dum
quant. all; the whole (cf. niīne, which is the common Onitsha
form)
ife dum
all things
mgbè dum$
always; at all times; in perpetuity (cf. mgbè niīne)
duu
n.
still; quiet
-debe ọnū duu
be silent
-delụ duu
stop talking
-gba duu
keep silence; refrain from answering; endure, tolerate
-tọgbò duu
lie still; lie down softly (cf. -gba duu)
dụ
enc. marks interrogative:
Gịnī dụ bù ǹke à? What is this?
66
Gịnī kwọ bùdù ǹke à? What is this again?
-dụ 1.
v.
prick; pierce; sew
òdụdụ
pricking; piercing; sewing
-dụ aka
poke
-dụgbu
pierce
-dụkọ
sew together
-dụmi ụnò
construct framework of roof before thatching or fixing the
sheets
ndụmì (ụnò)
roof framework before thatching or fixing the sheets
-dụ ọfọlò
punt
-dụ 2.
v.
regurgitate; vomit (cf. -gbọ)
-dụ adụ
retch
-dụ ubìlì
belch
-dụ ukòlò
belch
-dụ + 3.
v.:
-dụ isi
swear one’s innocence by a deity
-dù 1.
v.
advise; give advice
-dù ọdù, ọdụ
advise; give advice
-dù 2.
v.
plant (the stem, cutting of stem or branch, of a plant)
E.
e, a
pron.
(dependent, indefinite; harmonizes) one; ‘they’ (indefinite);
often translated by English passive:
A nà-èsi nnī Food is being cooked:
E jì yà aka He has been arrested
e-, a-
pref.
(harmonizes) verb prefix marking negative:
Ìgbò enwē ezè The Igbo have no kings
e-/a- ...m
pron.
(dependent, 1st person singular; harmonizes) I:
Anà m èje I am going:
Elìlì m ife I ate food
è-, à-
pref.
(harmonizes; tone high before low tone root) verb prefix
marking sequential mood
Chi èfoo Day breaks:
Chi abòọ Day breaks
-e
see -a/-e/-ọ/o
ebe
n.
place; where; while; since; whereas:
Agà m èje ebe ọ nò I will go where he is
Emēna mkpọtụ ebe m nà-àgụ akwụkwọ Don’t make a noise
while I’m reading
Kà ànyị chèlu yā n’ụzō à ebe ọ bū nà ọ gà-èsi ụzō à gafè
Let us wait for him here, since he will pass by this road
67
ebe à
this place:
n’ebe à
here
ebe afù
that place:
n’ebe afù
there
ebe a nà-àmụ nnwā
maternity home
ebe a nà-enì ozū
burial ground
ebe a nà-èsi nnī
kitchen
ebe dī (n’)ichè
different, various places
(n’)ichè,
ebe ịtā nni
pasture
ebe mgbabà
refuge
ebe niīne
everywhere
ebe nzuzo
secret place; retired spot
ebe ōbibi
habitation; dwelling place
ebe ọbụnà
any place
ebē
n.
yam beetle
èbeē
int.
where (to)?:
Èbeē kà ị jèkò Where are you going?
Èbeē kà ọ dì? Where is it?:
Èbeē kà ọ nò? Where is she?
èbeē zi?
Where then? where else?
èbelè
n.
mercy; pity
Èbelèchukwu
male name (lit. mercy of God)
-dị èbelè
be kind-hearted
-me èbelè
have pity on; be sorry for; have mercy on:
Mèelụ ānyị èbelè
Have mercy on us
-nwe obī ēbelè
be kind-hearted
obī ēbelè
kindness; mercy
onye ēbelè
the merciful (person)
onye kāsị èbelè
the most merciful:
Chinēkè Onye kāsị èbelè Most merciful God
ebenebe
n.
extraordinary happening; disaster
(ebenebe) -gbu
happen (of disaster, scandal, something serious):
Ebenebê gbùlù It was a disaster
ebī
n.
lungfish; mudfish (Protopterus annectens) (= ekwum)
ebì
n.
porcupine
ebì ntà
Brush-tailed Porcupine (Atherura fricana Gray)
ebì ogwū
Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata senegalica Cuv.)
èbìlì
n.
storm on water; wave
-tụ èbìlì
be agitated; swell (as river or sea in gale)
ebo
n.
A. the smallest kinship-cum-residential unit, a subdivision of
ụmù nnà
(patrilineage); sublineage:
Ebo unù bù gịnī? What is your special sublineage?
68
B. (= ogbè) ‘village’; a constituent part of a ‘quarter’ which is
itself part of a ‘town’ (òbòdò), containing a number of
patrileages (ụmù nnà):
Ònìchà Ebo
the Nine Villages of Onitsha
Ìtènaānị
Ebō
n.
male name (short for Ebōzinam, lit. stop accusing me)
èbù 1.
n.
mildew; mould
-ma èbù
grow mould:
Utàlà e lōfùlù n’ime akpàtì nnī amago èbù The pounded
fufu forgotten in the food-box has gone mouldy
èbù 2.
n.
wasp; hornet
àkpa èbu
wasps’ nest
èbùbè
n.
marvel; wonder; majesty
ife èbùbè
a wonder
-kobe èbùbè
honour (lit. hang honour on)
-me èbùbè
beautify; decorate
èbùbe āgụ
n.
African Bowstring Hemp or Leopard Lily (Sansevieria
liberica Gér. and Labr.), seen in Agwụ shrines and used as a
charm against thieves or a medicine for pregnant women
ebùbo, èbùbò,
n.
accusation; charge (-bo 2. v. accuse)
èbùbo
-bo ebùbo
levy accusation; accuse:
E bòlù yà ebùbo orī He has been accused of stealing:
Èbùbo kà onya mmà A false accusation is worse than a
matchet wound
èbùnù
n.
ram
èbùnu Idemīli
the ram of the Idemìli god (This ram lives mainly in the
Idemìli god’s shrine and its surroundings. But it also roams
about the village from compound to compound. The ram must
not be beaten or killed by anybody, as it is believed that
anyone who does this will automatically be visited and killed
by the god.)
echi 1.
n.
tomorrow
Proverb:
Echī dì imē, ò nwerō onye mā ife ọ gà-àmụTomorrow is
pregnant, no one knows what it will bring forth
echi niīne
tomorrow (emphatic)
echi yā
the next day; the following day:
Ndụ gbàlù akwụkwọ ụbòsì Krisìmaàsì, ò lue echī ya ò sie
nnukwu ōlili Ndù wedded on Christmas Day; the following
day he gave a great feast
nwanne echī
day after tomorrow
ùtụtù echī
tomorrow morning
echi 2.
n.
old type of money in form of bent wires
69
echìchè
n.
thought
-chè echìchè
think; ponder; meditate
echichi
n.
title; titled man (general; cf. mmụō 2., ọzō)
edè
n.
cocoyam
edē ànà
plant with spotted leaves and corm, the juice of which can be
used to mark the body (Cynastrum cordifolium)
edè ekò
cocoyam cooked like yam (Colocasia esculenta Schott)
edē mmụō
Ground Arum, plants whose leaves resemble the cocoyam
(Stylochiton hypogaens Lepr. and S. lancifolius Kotschy and
Peyr.)
edē ūmakà (also
cocoyam which requires boiling overnight, probably the
edè)
oldest type (Xanthosoma mafaffa Schott.)
mkpà edè
room where cocoyams are stored
edi
n.
African civet (Viverra civetta), Genet (Genetta spp.), Two-
spotted Palm Civet (Nandinia binotata)
òsì edī
genitals of edi, which smells and is used for medicines
edò
n.
tree whose trunk is used for canoes and whose roots and bark
are used as medicine (prob. Terminalia glaucescens Planch.
ex Benth., perh. also T. superba Engl. and Diels, possibly
Distemonanthus benthamianus Baill.)
èdò 1.
n.
yellow vegetable dye; yellow (of colour)
-cha èdo èdò
be yellow
Àfè m nà-àcha èdo èdò My shirt is yellow
-dị èdo èdò
be yellow
ọnā èdò
gold
ọnà ọcha nà ọnā
silver and gold (fig. fine luxuries)
èdò
Èdò 2.
n.
divinity
èe
int.
answer to a call
èe’è [èe?è], e’è
int.
no!
èè e, eee
int.
yes
èèye!
int.
yes! certainly!
èeyī!
int.
yes!
efè
n.
chance; opportunity; leisure:
Enwērọ m efè ịbīa ebe à I didn’t have a chance to come here
àrụ efè
unoccupied; at leisure
-dị efè
be vacant
-fụ efè
find time, chance, opportunity
-nwe efè
have a chance, an opportunity
-nye efè
give chance, opportunity
èfè 1.
(dialectal) = àfè
èfè 2.
n.
used in:
-kwụ èfè
swing to and fro; be neutral
70
efi
n.
cow
efi alūsị
sacred cow (efi Ìgbò type) owned by village; cannot be killed;
if it dies, it is given burial like a human
efi awụsa
zebu cattle
efi Ìgbò
dwarf cattle
efi ọfīa
bushcow; buffalo (Syncerus caffer bedingtoni Lyd.)
ala efī
cow’s milk
anụ efī
beef
ozu efī
carcase of cattle
èfì
n.
kind of fish
efìfìè
n.
afternoon; middle of the day; heat of the day
efìfìè naàbò
noonday
àzì efìfìè
lunch
-gba (àzì) efìfìè
take lunch
kwà efìfìè, kwà
every midday
èfifìè
mgbè efìfìè
during the afternoon
efù
n.
emptiness; vanity:
Ọ mèlù ya n’efù He did it in vain
efùlefù, èfùleèfù
empty; vain; useless (usu. of a person)
efùrù
n.
African nutmeg (Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal)
egedege, egenege
n.
front
egedege irū
forehead
egō
n.
money
ego akwụkwọ
currency note; paper money
ego àyòlò, àyò
cowry
ego edwòd
money used during the reign of King Edward
ego e nyèlù ya
capital
ego kịlịkịlị
coins
ego mgbụdamgbụ
type of money made by blacksmiths
ego naàbò
twelve cowries (= èkpète naàbò)
ego naatō
eighteen cowries
ego nwunyè
bride-price
àkpà egō
A. purse
B. a hundred pounds
anya mkpūlụ egō
eye with pupil whitened by disease
-chọ egō
seek for money by hook or by crook
isi egō
A. unit of six cowries (= èkpète)
B. capital
-kpata egō
acquire money
mkpụlụ egō
a cowrie, coin, shilling
oke egō
fantastic riches
-zu egō
steal money
71
-zụ egō
build up, increase one’s capital
ègùlò, ègùlè
n.
weaverbird
egbe
n.
A. hawk; kite
B. rogue (slang)
egbè
n.
gun
egbē ādakā
type of locally made gun
egbè igwē
thunder
egbē ndù
cannon
-gba egbè
fire gun
ndị jī egbè èje orī
armed robbers
ntụ egbè
gunpowder
ọnụ egbè
opening of a gun barrel
-pị egbè
carve wooden part of gun
-sù egbè
load gun
utù egbè
trigger (lit. penis of the gun)
ègbè
n.
boundary mark:
Onye ropù ègbè ò je ngaAnyone who uproots a boundary
mark will go to prison
ègbenu, ègbene
n.
cock
ègbènù
n.
warriors
ègbènu ōba
warriors
Ndi (òtu) ègbènu ōba society of warriors. They are not
necessarily warriors who go to battle. But their society is a
warrior-like one. Members dress like warriors with helmet-
like hats stuck full of long feathers, with cutlasses in their
hands. They are usually invited to grand traditional
ceremonies, funerals of great men and of course to funerals of
their dead members. They greet each other by knocking the
blades of each other’s swords together
ègbìlì
n.
fish (Heterotis niloticus) (= ìgbènù)
egbò
n.
boundary around compound or village; more especially the
entrance, shaped like goalposts, of bamboo palm leaves or
ògilìsì, which bears protective medicines
egbū
n.
tree (Alstonia congensis Engl.); bark used medicinally for
cure of different kinds of ịbà or akòm
egbugbèlè
n.
used in:
egbugbèlè ọnū
lip(s)
egbugbu
n.
tattoo; mark
-gbu egbugbu
tattoo; mark
ègwe
n.
wall of beaten earth
egwu
n.
A. drum
B. dance; play; entertainment
egwu alūsị
sacred dances
72
egwu ọtā
ritual drum
egwu ùdù
music in which ùdù features prominently
-gba egwu
dance
ògba ēgwu
dancer
-gwù egwu
play
-gwùli egwu
play about
-gwùsò egwu
play with someone
nnwa egwū
doll
òtù egwū
dancing club
ògụ ēgwu
singer; minstrel
-te egwu
dance in a peculiar way
-gwò egwu
dance very well in type of dance in which back muscles come
into play
egwù
n.
A. fear
B. fearful, terrible or fierce-looking thing; dangerous thing
àbànì dì egwù
bandit
atū egwù
courage; bravery; boldness
-dị egwù
be dangerous, dreadful
-tụ egwù
fear; respect; be afraid of
-yi egwù
frighten
egwugwu
n.
the most elderly and most venerated form of the incarnate
dead, of Igala origin (Igala ègwùgwù, = mmụọ ogonogo)
ègwusi
n.
water-melon seeds (cf. Yoruba ègùsì) (Citrullus vulgaris
Schrad.)
ofe ēgwusi
melon, egusi soup
ejiji
n.
dress; adornment
èjìma
n.
twin
-bụ èjìma
be twins
nwa èjìma
a twin
ụmū èjìma
twins:
Mmadū à naàbò bù èjìma These two persons are twins
èjò
see òjò
ejù
n.
broken pot; potsherd
ejù isī
top of skull
ejùnà, njùnà, njìnà
n.
edible snail (cf. kòso, nsam)
nkekele ejùnà
snail-shell
73
eke
n.
Royal Python (Python regius), the smaller species of python,
more common, lives in compounds and is freely handled,
sacred in most parts of Igboland
eke mmīli
water python
eke nà ogwùlùgwù
rainbow
eke ukwu, eke
the larger python; African or Rock Python; (Python sebae)
ọgbà
Ekè 1.
n.
A. a divinity
B. ekè good luck, fortune
ekè 2., ekò
n.
gizzard
ekē ōkụkò
fowl gizzard
Èke
n.
a day in the Igbo four-day week, following Ǹkwọ, personified
as an alūsị
Mgbeēke
female name (for child born on Èke)
Nweēke, Òkeēke,
male names (for someone born on Èke)
Èkeèmezie
èkène
n.
thanks; salutation; greeting; gratitude:
Èkène dìlị Chukwu
Thanks be to God
ekike
n.
A. adornment of the body
B. tie; belt; girdle
ekike ilē
string of the tongue
ife ekike
finery; adornment
-ke ekike
dress; adorn
ekò 1.
n.
blacksmith's bellows
-fù ekò
pump bellows
-fù ekò
blow bellows
ekò 2.
see ekè 2.
ekò mmīli
n.
plant with large leaves, used for shelter or to wrap fish
(Anchomanes difformis (Bl.) Engl. and Cyrtosperma
senegalense) (Scott) Engl.)
eku
n.
spoon; ladle (cf. ǹgàjì)
ekpē
n.
inheritance
-kè ekpē
make a will
-lite ekpē
inherit
ekpè
n.
earthwork constructed on the outskirts of a village for defence
purposes, or on farm to mark boundary or check erosion
-ti ekpè
make low mud wall, usually on farm, to mark boundary
and/or check erosion
èkpè 1.
n.
left (hand)
aka èkpè
left hand
ife dī n’aka èkpè
something on the left:
anya aka èkpè
the left eye
èkpè 2.
n.
time
74
èkpè afù
then; at that time
èkpè niīne
always; (at) all times
èkpe ōbụnà
whenever; (at) any time
èkpele, èkpelu
n.
prayer
-kpe ekpele
say prayer
èkpelu
see èkpele
èkpèǹta, èkpènta
n.
leprosy
onye èkpèǹta
leper
ekpètè
see okpètè
èkpète
n.
(= isi egō) unit of cowrie counting system, consisting of six
single cowries (ego) mkpụlū
èkpète īli
ten units of six cowries each (= òfu ùkwù)
èkpète naàbò
twelve cowries (= ego naàbò)
ekwe 1.
n.
wooden slit gong
-su ekwe
beat the gong
ekwe 2.
n.
xylophone
ekwe 3.
n.
string from aŋā
akpùlù ekwē
unsplit cane
ekwè 1.
n.
small uncarved stool
ekwè 2.
n.
occiput (also òkpù n’ekwè)
ekwēekwe
n.
stubbornness
ekwēème
n.
impossibility
ekwelē
n.
tie-rope; cane; fibre for making fish traps
ekwensu
n.
A. the malevolent spirits of those who have died a 'bad death'
and cannot reincarnate; malevolent non-human spirits;
(Christian usage) the devil
B. (fig.) a person who causes confusion and havoc
ekwò
n.
back of head; nape of neck
òkpùn’okwò
back of head; occiput
ekwòlò
n.
envy; jealousy
-gba ekwòlò
compete (in bad sense); be jealous, envious
-kwò ekwòlò
envy; contest enviously
Ekwu
n.
hearth spirit, the domestic spirit of women, worshipped by
head woman of household
mmà ekwū
small kitchen knife
èkwulèkwu
n.
talkativeness; loquacity:
onye èkwulèkwu
a talkative
-kwu èkwulèkwu
be loquacious, talkative
oke èkwulèkwu
talkativeness; bragging
75
ekwum
n.
lungfish; mudfish (Protopterus annectens) (= ebī)
elèghelū
see elùuluū
èlèlè, èlìlè 1.
n.
profit; gain
-bà èlèlè
be useful; profit; benefit
-li èlìlè
gain
èlèlè, èlìlè 2.
n.
food prepared with beans (after the chaff is removed, the
beans are ground with water into pulp, then wrapped in leaves
in convenient bits with normal food ingredients added, then
boiled till done)
èlèle īko
èlèlè boiled in tins (e.g. milk tins) instead of being wrapped in
leaves
èlèm
n.
fish-fry; small sprat-like fish caught when Niger rises
elili
n.
rope (general term); string to tie yams; shoe lace (cf. ùdò,
ekwe, àbù) see èlèlè 1. and 2. elili
elili afō
intestines
elili ọfīa
snake (euphemism)
-gbà elili
wear strings round ankles
-kwụ elili
commit suicide by hanging
èlìlì
see èlùlù
elō 1.
n.
mushroom
elo mmụọ
kind of poisonous mushroom (lit. spirits' mushroom) (see also
mmụō)
-pu elō
A. grow fungus
B. (fig.) live for ever
elō 2.
n.
Standard-wing Nightjar (Macrodipteryx longipennis)
elū elu
n.
A. North (borrowed from Central Igbo)
B. (fig.) very far away
èlùlù, èlìlì, olìghìlì
n.
electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus) (= ǹdudù)
elùluū
see elùuluū
elùuluū, elùluū,
n.
black driver ant; soldier ant
elèghelū
ìkeǹgà elùluū
giant ants, with very big heads, seen among smaller ones
emēnjọ
n.
innocence; infallibility (from -me do)
emume
n.
custom; observance
emumechī
n.
daybreak
ene
n.
Harnessed Antelope; bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus scriptus
Pallas)
enekē
n.
swallow (bird)
enekē ntì ọbā
swallow
enū
n.
height; top
enu ànì
dry land (as opposed to water); high land between Asaba and
Agbor
enu igwē
heaven; sky
76
enu igwē nà ùwà
heaven and earth
enu nà ànì
up-and-down; blouse and wrapper made of same material:
O yì enu nà ànì She is wearing an up-and-down
enu ntụlụ
hardship; misfortune
enu ōghịgha
changes in the world
enu ụnò
roof
enu ùwà
whole world
-buni enū
lift up; bring up; carry shoulder-high
-gba enū
be shallow
-kòni enū
hang up
-mani enū
jump up
n’enū
above; upon
-nò n’enu mmīli
be in trouble, difficulty
-se n’enū
float; (fig.) be ignorant of what is happening
ụgbọ enū
aeroplane
ụkwụ enū
by land; overland
-wèni enū
raise up
-wèni aka enū
raise hand
-wènita enū
lift up; take up
-wùnị enū
jump up
Enugwū
n.
Enugu
ènwè
n.
monkey; useless person
ènwè ọfīa
wild monkey
enyi
n.
elephant
ajì enyī
severe dysmenorrhoea (see ajì)
ọdụ enyī
elephant's tusk
enyì
n.
friend (less common than òyì)
enyì nwaàyì
girl-friend; woman friend
ènyò, ènyìnyò
n.
mirror; glass (= ùgògbè)
ènyò anyā
pair of spectacles
eriri 1.
n.
power of transforming oneself into an animal
eriri 2.
n.
wart
èrùlu
n.
red coral; coral bead
èsè
see àsè
èsèmokwu
n.
quarrel; dispute; bickering (- draw, pull)
esō
n.
gum from tree
esu
n.
(cf. alịlị) millipede
esuso, etuto
n.
blister; boil
-so esuso
form boil abscess
esusu
n.
contribution to revolving benefit fund, to which each member
contributes regularly and from which members profit in turn
(? < Yoruba)
ètè
n.
rope for climbing trees
77
eteke
n.
used in:
eteke uvīe
fish (Hemichromis bimaculatus) (cf. ìkpoòkpò)
ètètè
n.
woven shield used in war by the Ada people
ètitì
n.
middle; centre
ètitì naàbò
the middle, centre
ètitī ūchichì, ètitī
midnight
àbànì
n’ètitì
amidst; in the middle
n’ètitì mụ nà gị
between you and me
etu
n.
manner
etu à
thus; in this manner
etu afù
so; in that manner
etu ọ dì nọòfụ
as it is so
etùketù
n.
used in:
-kpọ etùketù
hiccough
etum
n.
long bamboo used to propel a canoe
ètùm
n.
dust in the air
etuto
see esuso
èvì
n.
snakehead fish (Channa obscura)
ewī
see eyī
ewō!, èwo!
int.
exclamation of surprise
ewòò!
int.
exclamation of sympathy or pity
ewu
n.
goat; (applied to person) fool
anụ ewū
goat-meat
Ewu kà ọ bù
He is a fool
ewu-elī-òkụkò-atù
(lit. goat-never-touches, fowl-never-pecks) a poisonous plant
nwa ewū
young goat; kid
ewù
n.
fame; report; rumour
ewùù!
int.
exclamation of regret, sympathy
eyī, ewī
n.
Giant or Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse;
Yoruba òkètè)
ezē
n.
tooth
eze nkwō
loss of tooth, teeth
aka ezē
toothache
-gado ezē
grip (but not bite into) with teeth
ìkili ezē
part of jaw near molar
-kpopù ezē
extract a tooth
-kwo ezē
take out, extract teeth; lose tooth, teeth
-tachapù ezē
grin; (coll.) smile; laugh
-ta ìkekele ezē
grind teeth
-wa ezē
file teeth
ezè
n.
A. king; chief:
Ìgbò enwē ezè The Igbo have no kings
78
ezè alūsị
priest (of a particular spirit that has a shrine and an organized
cult)
ezè amōosu
chief of wizards
ezē ànì
life-size image of carved wood
ezē kachasị akasị
God in heaven
ezē mmụō
king of underworld
ezè nwaàyì
queen
àda èzè
princess
ànì ezè
kingdom
-chi ezè
become, be installed chief or king
Ndùbeezè,
male name (lit. life is king or life is most important)
Ndùbezè
oche ezè
throne
òkpu ezè
crown
-zọ ezè
contest for chieftancy title
B. (fig.) the best or chief of its kind
ezè anụmànù
king of the beasts, the elephant
ezè azù
king of the fish (Gymnarchus niloticus)
ezè nnùnù
king of the birds, the eagle
ezi
n.
goodness; truth; kindness
n’eziē
(shortened from n’ezi okwū) truly:
N'eziē onye orī kà ọ bùTruly he is a rogue
ezi ndù
health
ezi okènyè
aged person
ezi okwū
truth
-kwu ezi okwū
speak the truth
ezi òmùme
good deeds; righteousness
ezi ūdo
perfect peace
n’ezi okwū
really; in reality; indeed; truly
ezì
n.
pig; domestic pig; dirty person
ezì ọfīa
bushpig; Red River Hog (Choeropotamus porcus porcus L.)
anụ ezì
pork
ọkwùlù ezì
pawpaw; papaya
èzi 1., ezi
n.
outside or precincts of a house
ezi amā
space in front of the compound outside the compound wall
and beginning from the main gate; street
èzi ìbà
court of a native house
èzi īlo
precincts of a house
èzi nà ụnò
household headed by one man
-nwe èzi nà ụnò
become a householder
-bọ èzi
clear a path, road, of weeds
mbala ēzi
compound inside walls (contrast ìlo)
ọkpụ ezi ụzò
middle of path or road; main road; permanent path
79
ụzò ezi amā
main entrance to a compound
èzi 2.
n.
menses
èzi 3.
n.
loan
ezigbō
n.
good; true; kind:
Ọ bù ezigbō mmādùHe is a good person
F.
fa
pron.
(independent; 3rd pers. pl.) they; them; their
fa nà isi fā
they themselves
fa ncha, fa niīne
all of them
fa nwà
they, them (emphatic)
ǹkè fa
their; theirs
-fa
v.
stuff; crowed; squeeze (cf. -)
-fabà (or -fàbà)
squeeze into
-fabàsị (or -fàbàsị)
stuff, squeeze into (e.g. crowded room)
-faghalị
stuff from one position to another
-fanye
stuff in between (two objects)
-fata
squeeze
-fà
v.
stuff; crowd; squeeze (cf. -fa)
-fàdo
stuff, crowd, squeeze in
-fànye aka n’ụkwụ
fold hands; clasp hands between knees; sit with one's hands in
one's lap; sit idle
-fàpù (or -fapù)
ease, by removing some part
-fàpùsị (or -fapùsị)
remove with difficulty from a crowded place; squeeze out
Fada
n.
Roman Catholic priest, father (E. Father)
ndị Fada
Catholic fathers; Catholics
Ukà Fada
Roman Catholic Church
-fe 1.
v.
A. fly;
òfufe
flight (of birds, flies, aeroplanes)
-febà
fly in
-febàta
fly over into
-fedà
fly down
-fedàta
fly down (towards)
-fefè
fly across
mfefè
flying across
-fefèga
fly across
-fefù
fly away out of sight
-fega
fly over to
-fego
fly upwards
-feghalị
fly about
-fekwu
fly to
80
-fenaba
fly home
-feni
fly up
mfeni
flying up; flight
-feniri
fly up; spring up quickly
-fenye
fly into
-fepù
fly off; (fig.) hurry off
-fesà
fly in all directions
-fe ùfe
fly
mfe
lightness; ease
ùfe
flight
anụ ūfe
flying creature; bird; bat
ụgbọ nā-efe ēfe
aeroplane
B. blow (of wind); fan; flutter; wave; flap
Ufèlè nà-èfe ēfe The wind is blowing:
Ibe akwà nà-èfe n’ìkùkù The cloth is fluttering in the breeze
-fe aka
wave hand
O fèèlù m aka He waved to me
-fe azịlịza
fan (oneself or another)
-fecha
flap (wing, to dry it)
-fe ọkụ
fan fire
-fepù
blow away (of wind
-fe ụkwụ
dangle leg(s)
akwā ùfùfè
sail
-fe 2.
v.
sprinkle; cast; throw (esp. many objects)
òfufe
sprinkling; casting; throwing
-fedà
throw down
-fe mmilī
A. drive away rain
B. sprinkle water
-fe mkpụlū
scatter seeds
-fe ǹ
cast lots:
E fèlù ǹzà, ǹz.a wèe ma Òkèchukwu They cast lots; the lot
fell on Okechukwu
-fesà
sprinkle all over; splash
-fesàsị
sprinkle completely
-fe + 3.
v.:
-fe ọlụ
superintend work (shortened from -nefe look over)
-fè 1.
v.
worship; serve
òfùfè
service; worship; adoration
òfùfè nrù
church service; religious worship
-fè alūsị
serve a divinity
-fè ànì
prepare land for planting by propitiating the spirits concerned
-fèga ọfịa
prepare forest for planting by propitiating the spirits
concerned
81
-fè ǹ
pay homage, esp. present gifts in traditional style to ọkpala
-fè + 2.
v.
cross over; pass:
O fèlù mmilī He crossed the river:
O fèlù m n’ụzò He passed me on the way
òfùfè
crossing; passing
O fègo He has passed
Ogè efègo The time has long passed
-fè èfè
be contagious or infectious
-fè ofè
be excessive (less common than -ri nnē)
-fè ogwè
cross a bridge
-fè okè
surpass; pass the bounds
-fètabà
cross over (someone else's area):
Ifētàbà okè adīrọ mmā Exceeding the limit is not good
-fètaba
begin to cross over
-fe-nì
v.
dry up, wither, become emaciated (of plants or people)
-fi 1.
v.
wipe by pressing
-fi aka n’anya
be wary; be careful
-ficha
wipe (smaller amount than -kwọcha)
-fichapù
wipe off:
Fichàpù ètùm dī n’àrụ akwà afù brush off the dust on that
cloth
-fichasị
wipe thoroughly
-filì
press, rub hard so as to break into pieces; crush with hand or
foot
-fi + 2.
v.
support
-fi akwùkwà
make a cooking-pot stand
-fido
support
-fili
support
-fili isi
rest the head
ofili isī
pillow
-fie 1.
v.
bind; tie; gird
òfifie
binding
-fie agbụ
bind; cord
-fiedo
make fast with a cloth or belt:
O fìèdò ǹnwa n’ukwù she tied a child on her back
-fiedosi ike
tighten
-fiegbu (-figbu)
strangle
-fiekọ
tie together
-fierube
gird, tie around
ife mfiedo
girdle; belt
-fie 2.
v.
demand
-fieta ngò
receive back bride-price from wife's relations
-fie ụgwō
demand payment of a debt
82
-fìè
v.
miss (most often used as 2nd element in compound verb)
Ife afīa nne āyị gòtàlù fìèlù m The goodies which mother
bought missed me
-fị 1.
v.
dry up; wither
-fị afị
be withered, shrivelled
-fịkọ
dry together
-fịkọ
dry together
-fịkpọ, -fịkpa
dry up; wither and break
-fịnwụ
wither; shrivel up
-fị + 2.
v.
twist; wring; braid
òfịfị
twisting
-fịcha
wring
-fịghalị
twist
-fị ùdò
braid rope
-fì
ext. suff.1.
in a twisted state; entangled (cf. -fị 2. twist)
-tụfì
be entangled (also -tụsì)
-fịa 1.
v.
be difficult
mfịa ārụ
adversity; distress; hardship; want; poverty
-fịa 2.
ext. suff.1.
off
-chìfìà
rub, scrub, off
-kọfịa
scratch, pick off
-fịọ, -shọ
v.
make a noise (by large number of people); make tumultuous
noise1
-fịọ ùzù
make quarrelsome noise; quarrel noisily; make tumultuous
noise = -tụ ùzù
fịòfịò, shọòshọò
n.
pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp.)
-fo 1.
v.
A. break (of day)
òfifo, òfufo
breaking (of day):
Chi èfogo Day has dawned
-fo chi
last till dawn; last till the following morning
òfufo chī
dawn
-fosà
become fully light (of day):
Chi ēfosàgo Daylight has come fully
-fosàsị
be bright (of daylight):
Chi ēfosàsịgo The daylight is bright and strong
chi ōfifo, ōfufo
period of daybreak as light grows stronger
B. be open, clear
-focha
clear (a space)
-fochapù
clear away
-fo iru
be open, clear, spacious
àrụ ōfufo
freedom from care; security; case
-fo 2.
v.
mention
òfufo
mentioning
83
-fo afà
mention; mention name
-fota afà
make mention; mention
-fọ 1.
remain; be left over (cf. -gbọ 3.):
Ò fò mmadù òne? How many people are left?
-fọdụ
be left; remain over
-fọdụga
remain in different places
-fọ sò ọkpụkpụ
be very emaciated
-fọ- 2.
v.
put (in or out); take out from; put, squeeze, insert into (bag,
pocket, etc.)
-fọnye
put, squeeze into pocket, bag, etc.:
Ọ nà-àfọnye jī n’ime àkpà He is putting yams into the bag
-fọpùta
take out from pocket, bag, etc.:
Ọ mànyèlù aka n’àkpà fọpùta ọjị naàbò He dipped his hand
into his pocket and brought out two kolanuts
-fù
v.
lose; get lost:
Akwụkwọ m#efùgo My book is lost
òfùfù, mfù
loss
-fù èfù
lose; go astray; be lost
-fùghalịba
wander about
-fumìna
be lost in such a way that the probability of being recovered is
very low
Ego afù èfumìnago The money has been totally lost
-fùnarị
wander from; be lost from:
Akwụkwọ m#efùnarịgo m#I have lost my book (lit. My book
is lost from me)
-fùru
be lost
-fù ụzò
lose one's way:
Efùlù m ụzò I lost my way
-fu-fè
v.
shake
-fufè isi
shake the head
fụ, fù
enc.
(has tone opposite to that of the preceding syllable) just; just
now; right; very:
Èbeē kà i bīfù? Where do you live now?
fụ ǹdụù, fụ kịtaà
just now, immediately:
Bikō, achòlù m kà ị bịa fù ǹdụù Please, I want you to come
just now
-fụ 1.
v.
see; find (no vowel suffix)
òfụfụ
seeing
-fụcha(sị)
see all; see clearly
-fụchata
be curious, inquisitive
mfụchata
curiosity; inquisitiveness
-fụdà
see to the end
-fụ ìnyègè
see faintly
84
-fụjọ
be evil-disposed to; dislike
-fụkọ
see together
-fụlụ
discover a fault
-fụlụlụ
spy on
-fụmì
see to the bottom (lit. and fig.)
-fụ n’anya
love; like:
Fâ fùlù ònwe fā n’anya They love each other.:
Afùlù m gì n’anya I love you
ịfūnàanya
love; fondness:
Ọ bụlụ nà ịfūnàanya adīrọ n’ètitì ụnù, ụnù amā aga n’iru
If love does not exist among you, you cannot progress
-fụnarị
see more (than another person)
-fụ ọfù
see vision
-fụta
find
-fụtè
see afar off
-fụ ụzò
see clearly; be transparent
-fụwa
see clearly
-fụzù
see all
òfụfụ anya ụzò
sight
-fụ 2.
v.
hurt (intr.)
-fụ afụfụ
suffer (cf. -ta afụfụ)
-fụju anya
A. toil, suffer greatly
B. be horrified, as by an abomination:
Ndị mmadù àfụjugo anya n’ife nā-eme kịtāà People are
horrified by what is happening now
-fụsì anya
suffer greatly; see too many tribulations
-fụ ùfụ
hurt:
Ukwụ nà-àfụ m#ụfụMy leg is hurting me
-fụ 3.
v.
peel
-fụ ji
peel yam (usu. cooked)
see fụ
-fù 1.
v.
blow; puff; swell
-fùcha
winnow thoroughly
-fù ekò
blow bellows
-fùkpọ
blow until (it) bursts
-fùnye ume
inflate
-fùnyụ
blow out a light
-fùnwu
light fire; kindle by blowing; raise light
-fùnwu ọkụ
light a fire by blowing
-fù ọkụ
blow fire
-fùwa
puff, burst (as bag)
-fụ-kò
v.
crumple; rumple
85
G.
ga
enc.
optional plural marker:
Ife ndị à gà sì bùchà ǹkè mAll these things are mine:
Ndị à bùgàsì ǹkè m lìThese things are all really mine, you
know
-ga 1.
v.
A. go; pass; move
ògịga
a pass; passing
-ga àzụ
be retrogressive, not making good progress
-gaba
go on; continue to go; henceforth; thenceforth:
Mèlu gàba etu mbụ Continue as hitherto!
-gabìdo
go in front and intercept
-gabìga (cf. -
go in front of; overtake
gafèga)
ngabìga
passing over; Passover
-gabulu n’iru
go before, carrying something
-gadobe, -gadebe
stop moving
-gadòbe, -gadèbe
move nearer
-gafè
cross; pass (away, over, through)
-gafèga
go in front of; overtake
-gafè okè
be in excess:
Ife gafèlù okè dì njọ Enough is as good as a feast
-gafèta
come over
-gaghalị
wander; stroll
-gakọ
pass towards
-ga(lụ) aga
be past; ago
arō gālụ aga
last year:
Ọ mùlù èjìma n'arō gālụ aga She gave birth to twins last
year
ife gālụ aga
past event; past thing
ọnwa gālụ aga
last month:
Ọ bìàlù ebe à n’ọnwa gālụ aga He came here last month
ụkā gālụ aga
last week
-gamì
go in; pass deeply; travel inland
-ga n’iru
go forward; go in front; progress
ịgāniiru
progress
ògàniiru
progress
-ga òfụma
prosper; succeed; go well
-garube
surround; go round
-garụka
go a short distance; go aside (esp. for discussion)
-gata
pass here (towards speaker):
86
Nye m efè kà m gata Let me pass!
-gatè aka
go far away
-gawa
pass, go, straight on
-gawaga
pass, go, straight on
-gawalụ
go away
-gazù
go through
B. be beyond; be farther off
-gabìga
come round to intercept someone
-kpụmìga
move farther off:
Bikō kpụmìga! Please move farther off!
-ga 2.
v.
thread (so as to hold together:
Bikō mèghe ụzò kà nne ānyị wèlu fụ ụzò ga ife onu#ya
Please open the door so as to allow our mother to see well to
thread her necklace
-gado
hold together
-gado aka
hold someone responsible:
Ọ gàdò m aka He held me responsible
-gado ezē
grip (but not bite into) with teeth
-gakọ
thread, string (together)
-ga 3.
aux. v.
(probably originates from -ga 1.) marks the future verb forms:
Chikē gà-àbịa Chike will come (future affirmative):
Chikē agā-abịa Chike will not come (future negative):
Chikē gà na-ègo jī Chikē will be (habitually) buying yams
(future progressive affirmative):
Ụzò kpùchìsìlì ụnò ya, mmilī agā naabā yā Ụzọ roofed his
house so that rain might not come in (future progressive
negative):
Chikē gà-ègogo jī Chike will/must have bought yams (future
perfect, affirmative):
Chikē gà na-ègogo jī Chike will/must have been (habitually)
buying yams (future progressive perfect affirmative)
-gà +
v.
scratch
-gàdo
hold with nails, claws, or teeth
-gà mbọ
scratch with nails
-ga-cha
take off
-gachata
snatch off
-gà-la 1.
be proud
-gàla ngàla
be proud
-gà-la +
2.:
-gàla ọnū
be dear:
Nni gàlàlù ọnụ n’ebe à Food is dear here
ǹgàla ōnụ
dearness
gànàgànà
n.
staggering walk
87
-sọ gànàgànà
stagger
gàrị
n.
dried and grated cassava; gari
GB.
-gba 1.
v.
move:
A. independent movement (i) run
-gba àghalā
riot; be disorderly; be rascally
-gbabà
run into, in; (fig.) trust in; confide:
Gbabàanù ime ụnò Run (you pl.) into the house
ebe mgbabà
refuge
-gbabàta
run in, into towards the speaker:
Ụmù akā, gbabàtanù ime ụnò! Children, run into the house
-gbabè
stop running; run out of breath (cf.
Mmilī gà-àgbabè n’elekele īsiì The water will stop running
at 6 o'clock
-gbabido
enclose; cut off; ambush; waylay
-gbadà
run down; descend
mgbadà
slope; descent
-gbadebe
stop running
-gba egwu
dance
ògba ēgwu
dancer
-gba ekwòlò
compete (in envy); be jealous, envious
-gbafo
disperse; scatter; clear (of people, e.g. from market, or of
clouds)
Nwèe ǹdìdì, chi gàfụ āgbafo Be patient, the weather will
soon clear up.:
Afịa āgbafogo The market has cleared
-gbafù
escape; run away; miss
-gbafù obì, -gbafù
take the breath away; startle; shock; make shudder
ume
-gbago
ascend; run up
mgbago
ascent
-gbagota
ascend (towards the speaker)
-gbaghà
overtake
-gbaghàga
run past
-gbaghalị
run about
-gbaghàlụ
pardon; forgive; leave; let alone
mgbaghàlụ,
forgiveness
mgbayàlụ
-gbaje
run to
-gbajebe
run somewhere
88
-gbakìli ànì
run hither and thither without anything being done; make fuss;
dilly-dally
-gbakọ
run together
mgbakọ
gathering; meeting
-gbakòba
meet together; come, run, together:
Gbakòbanù n'òfu ebē Come (you pl.) together in one place
-gbakòba ọnū
meet together; assemble, run together
-gbakute
run to (someone):
Gbàkute nnā ānyị Run to our father
-gbakù(rị)ta
neglect; turn back on:
Ọ gbākùrìtàlù m àzụ ọgè m nò na nsògbu He turned his
back on me when I was in trouble
-gbakùta àzụ
turn back; desert; neglect
-gbakpù
obscure; move across and cover (as clouds the sun)
-gbalụ ọsọ
dodge; avoid:
Mba nà-àgbalụ m ọsọ Mba is running away from me, or Mba
is dodging me, or Mba tries to avoid me
-gba mbìbì
borrow; go about borrowing
-gba mbò
strive; attempt; try hard, persist; be enterprising, industrious
-gbana
run home
-gbana n'òsu
seek refuge with a deity
-gbanarị
outrun; run away from; forsake; abandon:
Nkịtā m àgbanarịgo m My dog has run away from me:
Agà m àgbanarị gī n’ọsọ I can outrun you
-gbanata
run home (from another place towards the speaker)
-gba ǹje
run to and fro; be going to and from a place (including the
world of spirits)
ògbanje
see main entry ògbanje
-gba nrịra
run from husband to another man
-gbanù
be in a hurry; hurry
mgbanù
hurry; haste
-me mgbanù
be in a hurry:
Ọ nà-ème mgbanù She is in a hurry
-gba òdìbò
work as servant; serve; wait on (on a master-servant basis)
-gba ọsọ
run; run away; abscond; run race
-gbapù
run away, out
-gbapùta
run out, away
gbaràpù
forsake; abandon
-gbasò
run to, after
-gba ùzọ
go out very early in the morning
-gbawa
run away; abscond:
Ọ chòlù ịgbāwa He wants to run away, abscond
mgbawa
running home, away
89
-gbawalụ
run away; abscond:
Gwa yā kà ọ gbawalụ Tell him to run away:
Nwa òdìbò m rāpùlù m gbawalụ ọgè ànyị nò n'Òbòdò
Oyìbo My servant left me and ran when we were in the
United Kingdom (ii) move in vehicle; ride
-gba igwè
ride bicycle
-gba ụgbọ
go in a vehicle
B. move (as liquid) (1) flow, run (liquid as subject)
-gbacha
leave off raining
-gbadebe
stop running:
Mmilī nà-àgbadebe n’elekele ìtènaānị Water stops running
at 9 o'clock
-gbanye
flow, pour into
-gbapù(ta)
exude; pour out (of liquids)
-me mgbafù
be poured away, off, to waste:
Ọgwù m nàtàlù n'ùtụtù mèlù mgbafù The drug I received in
the morning was spilt
(mmilī) -gba
flow (of water)
(mmilī) -gbafùsị
flow to waste (of water):
Èri ǹnyàafù pọmpù dī n’iru ụnō ānyị jìlì mebì kà mmilī ya
jì àgbafùsị n'òkpọrọ Since yesterday, when the tap in front
of our house broke down, the water from it has been running
to waste (ii) pour, run, exude (liquid as object); shed (tears);
bleed, perspire, etc.
-gba ajịlịja
perspire
-gba anya mmīli
shed tears:
Ife nā-ēme n'ogè kịtāà nà-àgba ìmèliìmè mmādù anya
mmīli What is happening at the present time is making many
people shed tears
-gba asọ
spit
-gbafù
pour away, off; pour to waste:
Gbafùe mmili dī n’ime ìtè Pour off the water in the pot
-gba mmeē (cf. -
bleed
gba òbàlà)
-gba mmilī
A. pour water on (fainting or shocked persons as treatment)
B. bring out water, sap, etc. (as tree):
Achòlù m kà ị gbaa òdòdo mmilī I want you to water the
flowers:
A gà-àgba onye dālụ enu#mmilī Water should be poured on
the person who has fallen from a height:
Anà m èje ọsọ ōsọ ikute mmili a gà-àgba onye dālụ enu#I
am hurrying to bring water to be poured on a person who has
fallen from a height
-gba mmili alā
contain breast milk; have flow (of breast milk from the breast)
90
-gbanye
pour (liquid) into a container
-gba òbàlà (cf. -gba
bleed; shed blood:
mmeē)
Ọ bụlụ nà i zèrò ndị òtu āyaka mà dabànye n'aka fā, fa
tisịa ī fà àgbaa yī òbàlà tupu fà àrapū yī If you do not
dodge the gang of thugs but fall into their grip, they will beat
and make you bleed before they leave you
-gbapù
pour out:
Gbapù mmili dī n’ime ìtè Pour out the water in the pot
-gbasa
splash
-gbasị
gush out (e.g. blood from wound)
-gbawụsa
pour upon; sprinkle; splash
ife ōgbụgba
post-partum haemorrhage; menorrhagia (excessive loss at
menstrual period)
C. project (i) spit; inject
-gba asọ
spit
-gba nnu
spit salt on (e.g. wound)
-gba ọgwù
inject (drug with syringe):
Anà m èje ụnò ọgwù ịgbā ọgwù I am going to the hospital to
have an injection
-gbawụsa asọ
spit upon (ii) sting; irritate the throat (sometimes painfully, as
after eating fresh or improperly cooked cocoyam)
-gbakà àrụ
torment; afflict (iii) shoot; fire
-gba egbè
fire gun
-gbafìè
shoot and miss
-gbagbu
kill by shooting
-gbami
shoot far
-gbasu
startle by firing a gun:
Di ntā afù àgbasugo ụmù nnùnụ bēkwàsìlì n’enu osisi afū
dī n’ètiti ubì The hunter has dispersed the birds on that tree
standing in the middle of the farm
-gbatò
shoot badly (victim would be mutilated)
-gbatù
shoot down; kick down
-gba ụta
shoot arrow with bow
ògbaā tumtum
see separate entry
ògba nta
hunter (iv) snap (with sharp sound); spring up (as corn) with a
popping sound, as when roasting
-gba aka
snap fingers to show interest (v) kick
-gba ụkwụ
kick (with foot (vi) abort
-gba imē
abort; commit abortion
-gbakwopù imē
cause abortion; abort
D. spread; scatter
-gba afa
divine; practise divination
91
-gba ghalịị
confuse:
Okwu afù gbàlù m ghalịị I didn't understand that word
-gbagwa
mix; dilute; run together (of liquids and solids)
-gbagwòju anya
be abashed; be confused by
-gbalù iru
look gloomy
-gbarà
leave and forget
-gbasà
scatter; spread
mgbasà
dismissal; scattering; spreading; dispersal
abụ mgbasà
dismissal song
-gbasà akwà
spread cloth
-gbasà iru
look cheerful (lit. 'spread face')
-gbasà Ozi Ọma
spread the Gospel
-gbasàpù
stretch out; spread out (as a bird its wings)
-gbasàsị
be scattered about
-gbasị
rub off grains from cob
-gbasị ògbàdụ
rub off grains from maize cob
-gbatị
stretch; unroll
-gbatị àrụ
stretch oneself (e.g. for exercise)
-gbatị ònwe
stretch oneself (e.g. for exercise)
-gbatịpù
stretch out
E. wrestle; fight
-gba mgba
struggle; wrestle
ògba mgba
wrestler
-gba ògù
side with; defend; fight for
-gba 2.
v.
A. shine (of moon only); burn
-gba ọkụ
burn: (1) trans.
ị gà-àgba ụnò ọkụ ọ bụlụ nà ị kpāchàpùrò anya You will
burn (set fire to) the house if you are not careful (2) intrans.
Ụnò nà-àgba ọkū The house is burning (on fire)
B. (combined with another verb) make bright; do thoroughly:
Achò m kà i figbaa akpụkpọ ụkwū afù èfigbaa I want you
to give those shoes a thorough polishing
-lụgba
do thoroughly:
Ọ sì nà nya gà-àlụgba ọlū afù àlụgba She said that she was
going to do the work thoroughly
-gba- 3.
v.
crack; split; snap; break
-gbabè
snap asunder; cut; (fig.) die suddenly or unexpectedly:
Elili àgbabègo The rope has snapped:
Òfu nwa ikolobìà gbabèèlù ebe à ǹnyàafù A young man
died here suddenly yesterday
-gbabo
break; break off part of wall, ground or anything of that
consistency, such as anthill, mud seat, etc.:
Wèlụ nwayòò màkà ị gbābo ajā Be careful lest you break
92
off the wall
-gbabo ànì
kick up the ground:
Òkwute ị dèbèlù n’ebe afù gà-àgbabo ànì ụnò The stone
you placed in that place is going to break the floor
-gbaji
break; snap (stick, bone, etc.)
-gbajipù
break off
-gbatọ
break; cut; tear
-gbawa
crack; split
mgbawa
crack; cracking
obì mgbawa
great anger; broken heart
ùbụlù mgbaka
brain fatigue
-gba 4.
v.
bend
-gbagò
bend; make crooked
mgbagò
crookedness; sinuousness; bending
-me mgbagò
be bent, crooked, curved:
Osisi ǹke à mèlù mgbagò This stick is bent
-gbagò àgbagò
be bent
-gba ngìlìgò
be circuitous; have many bends
-gba ngò
A. be bent, crooked, curved:
Mkpịsī ǹke à gbàlù ngò n’ọnū This spike is bent towards the
tip:
ǹke à bù ụzō gbālụ ngò This is a crooked path
-gba ngò
B. be crooked, wrong, false:
Ụzō gbālụ ngò kà i sì àbịa okwu nwā m The way you are
approaching me for my daughter (whom you want me to give
you in marriage) is wrong. (Lit. The way through which you
come for my daughter is crooked):
Òmùme afù gbàlù ngò That deed is wrong
-gbàzì
make straight; correct; advise; instruct
-gba 5.
v.
speak (in certain special ways)
-gba aka ebē
bear witness; stand surety
-gba àmà
act as informer; bear witness (in bad sense); reveal secrets;
betray
-gbabu okwu
speak all together:
Wèlụ nwayòò na-èkwu, rapù ịgbābu okwu Speak a bit more
slowly and stop jumbling your words
-gbagha
contradict; argue
onye mgbagha
argumentative person
-gba ìzù
take counsel together; whisper
-gbakpò ìzù
plot secretly against someone
-gbakpọ ìzù
consult well about a matter
-gba òsiālị
bear witness
-gba 6.
v.
tie; twine round; make basketwork frame
93
ògbambùlù
anything round
-gba 7.
v.
remain in a state
-gbachi ǹkịtì
keep silence; refrain from answering; endure;
-gba duu
keep silence; refrain from answering; endure; tolerate
-gba enu#
be shallow:
Mmilī afù gbàlù enu#The stream is shallow
-gba ghòlòghòlò
be watery
-gba ǹkịtì
keep silence; refrain from answering (cf. -gba duu)
-gba mfe
relieve; lesson; be light
-gba nke
lie in wait
-gba nlò
be soft; be watery (esp. of food)
-gba òtọ
be naked
mgbalụ ōtọ
state of nakedness, nudity
-gba 8. +
v.
cut
-gba akpụkpọ
flay
-gba amù
castrate
-gbacha isi
trim the hair (of head)
-gba mbọ
pare nails (cf. -be mbọ)
-gba 9.
v.
take meal
-gba àzì
take food, eat (esp. in early morning)
-gba (àzì) anyàsì
take supper
-gba (àzì) efìfìè
take lunch
-gba àzị ūtụtù, -
take breakfast
gba ūtụtù
-gbacha afele
clean the plate (of food)
-gbapù àzị ūtụtù
take breakfast (usu. a light one and taken in a hurry); just
breakfast
-gba 10.
v.
sprout; spring out, up; grow out
-gba àfù ọnū
grow beard, moustache
-gba akụ
grow pubic hair
-gba mkpòlògwù
take root
-gbado
take root
mkpòlògwù(gwù)
-gbakasị
make spots or scars on
ògbakasị
any disease that has spots that leave scars (chickenpox,
smallpox, etc.)
-gbamì
send roots deep
mkpòlògwù(gwù)
-gbanye
be rooted in; be connected with a place by birth
mkpòlògwù(gwù)
-gba ome
send out shoot when yet unplanted
-gbapute
break ground (of shoot)
-gba 11. +
v.
be without
94
-gba aka
be empty-handed; go without
-gba aka nnwā
be childless:
Òkụkō ji ofû gbà aka nnwā A hen with one chicken is
childless
-gba aka ọlū
be unemployed
-gba aka ōkpọrọ
be empty-handed
-gba 12.
v.
buy, pawn (person); buy (land, tree, e.g. palm tree, etc.)
-gba afịa
trade
-gbalụ
recover pawn or pledge
-gba mmadù
buy, pawn person:
Mmadù adā àgbazị ibè ya n'ogè kịtāà People no longer buy
each other nowadays
-gba ngò
reckon up bride price
-gbapù
redeem; ransom
-gbapù n'orù
redeem from slavery, servitude
-gbapùta
redeem; ransom
mgbapùta
ransom; redemption
-gba 13.
v.
change; spoil; pollute
-gbadùba
make dull; becloud
-gbadùba iru
frown; scowl; make sour face; grimace
-gbaka
go sour; stale (of soup, palm wine, etc.); be spoilt (of person);
be grieved, sullen
-gbalù
foul; defile; be defiled, polluted (as when water containing
sediment, standing in a jar, is stirred, or when the water of the
stream is polluted by the activities of fish)
mgbalù
pollution (of liquids)
obì mgbalù
melancholy; trouble in one's mind
-gbalù àgbalù
change for worse; be polluted, fouled, defiled
-gbalù iru
sulk; scowl; lower (of sky)
-gbalù mmilī
defile, pollute water
-gbalụ ọgwù
neutralize effect of poison
-gba nchāla
rust; corrode
-gbanwè
change; exchange:
Gbanwèelụ m ji ǹkaà Change this yam for me
mgbanwè
change; changing
-me mgbanwè
be changed:
Iru igwē nà-ème mgbanwè The face of the sky is changing
-gbatò
foul by treading on or stirring (e.g. with finger on pears or rod
in àkàmù); rub bloom off (fruits)
-gba ụka
be sour
-gba ụtụ
be affected with boring grub (of wood)
-gba- 14.
v.
be fixed; fix
-gbado
fix; stick (as an arrow); hold tightly; choke; take by the throat;
95
compress by pressing fingers firmly on:
Ọgè Èke nà Ọnyìdo nà-anū ògù n'ùtụtū ǹnyàafù Ọnyìdo
butùe Èke n'ànì gbado yā aka n'àkpịlī When Èke and
Ọnyìdo were fighting yesterday, Ọnyìdo threw Eke to the
ground and squeezed his throat with his fingers
-gbado anya
fix the eye on; persevere; be diligent; e.g. (greeting):
Gbàdo anyā Take care of yourself
-gbakòta
hold all together
-gba 15.
v.
stop up; close; enclose; obstruct by moving; open
-gbabìdo
enclose (esp. with fence); encircle; ambush; waylay
-gbachi
foil; counteract; supplant; stop up (e.g. road or gap); lock
door; shut box or window; fence:
Gbàchie ụzò Lock the door:
Ọ nà-àbụ ebe ōbụnà mụ èjènà ịchō ọlụ, Agū èjee gbachie
nà ya Wherever I go in search of a job, Agụ goes there to mar
my success:
Achòlù m mà ị gbachie āzụ ụnō ānyị I want you to erect a
fence to screen our back yard
-gbachi ùgòdì
turn the key
-gbachibìdo
waylay; ambush; fence round; stop up
-gbaghe
open box or window; unlock door; untie (parcel):
Bikō gbàgheelụ m ụzò Please unlock the door for me
-gbaghepù
throw open (door, window, box, etc.); untie and expose
(parcel)
-gba ògìgè
fence compound or farm:
Agà m àgba ugbo m ògìgè I shall fence my farm
-gba 16.
v.
lean
-gbabe
lean; be leaning against:
Òfu ọbē gbàbè n'ajā A ladder is leaning against the wall
-gbabebe
(causative of)
-gbabe
lean something against somewhere:
Bikō gbàbebe ọbē n’enu ajā Please lean the ladder against
the wall
-gba- 17.
v.
turn
-gbaghalị
stir; turn round
-gbaghalị egō
(exchange money)
-gbaghalị nni
stir food
-gbakùta āzụ
turn the back on
-gba ntì
probe the ear
-gba 18.
v.
cultivate (cassava and other plants propagated by cuttings)
-gba n’ugbō
cultivate adjoining farms; be farm neighbours
-gba 19. +
v.:
-gba enu#
be well-known
96
-gbà 1.
v.
A. lie across
-gbàchi
block by lying across
-gbàdo
hold to the ground (by lying across, as wrestler); pin down
-gbàgha
turn round (esp. of a boat)
B. spread (across, as mat, cloth, etc.); lie (across):
Achòlù m kà ị gbàa akwà n’enu àkwà I want you to spread
cloth on the bed
-gbàba
spread (as mats, etc.)
-gbà ufìè
lie across or crosswise
C. spread (as of cloud over view); becloud; become dark
-gbà anya ōchịchịī
dim the vision
-gbàchi
be cloudy, dark, gloomy, lowering
-gbà òchịchịī
be dark, get dark
-gbà 2.
v.
give a hand in carrying
ògbùgbà
carrying:
Bikō nyèlụ m aka ịgbàlù ewu e kēlụ eke dī n’ime ụkpā à
n’ụnwà jee n'ụgbọ Please help me to carry the tied goat in
this basket to the lorry
-gbà 3. +
v.
A. join; pair; add
-gbàkọ
reckon; reckon up; take account of; count; add
mgbàkọ
A. joining; seam; collection; joining together, gathering,
flowing together (of liquids)
B. arithmetic; addition
-gbàkwụnye
add to; enlarge (e.g. a house) by addition of more rooms;
extend
-gbàkwụnye ụnò
enlarge, extend house (by adding more rooms at either or both
ends or sides);
Anà m agbàkwụnye ụnò m ụnō ūla naàbò I am enlarging
my house by two more bedrooms
-gbànye
reckon with; regard; care for; consider (as important):
Àgbanyèrò m yà n’ife I have no regard for him or I do not
consider him/it important
B. mate (mammals); wed; marry
-gbà akwụkwọ
marry by church and/or ordinance, esp. by church wedding:
Ndù gà-agbà akwụkwọ echī Ndụ will get married tomorrow
àgbàmakwụkwọ
wedding (church or ordinance, esp. church)
-gbà 4.
v.
wear any kind of ring or anklet, etc., on any part of the body
(the object, of any material, must go round the particular part
of the body)
-gbà elili
wear strings round ankles
-gbà ugègbè anyā
wear glasses
mgbà akā, mgba
ring
akā
97
-gbà 5. +
v.
force to drink liquid (e.g. drug, water, wine, etc.)
-gbàgbu
suffocate; choke; drown
-gbà iyī
bind with an oath; adjure
-gbà mmanya
make drunk
(manya)
-gbà mmilī
force to drink water (e.g. primitive way of feeding baby);
force to drink water by pushing the victim under water
-gbà 6.
v.
A. grow big or strong; grow, become stout; come of age; be
fully-grown:
Mkpi gbàlù àgbà The he-goat is fully-grown
ògbùgbà
maturity
-gbà àrụ
be stout
-gbà òkolobìà
become adolescent (of man)
-gbà ọkpụkpụ
become physically stronger (of growing young person) (lit.
toughen bones)
-gbà ume
encourage (lit. strengthen the heart)
B. be so many years old, ago
-gbà arò
be a year old; be so many years old:
Nnwa afù agbàgo arò ìse The child is five years old
mgbà arò
a year (ago)
mgbà arò naàbò
two years (ago):
Ọ dīgo mgbà arò naàbò alụ afū mèlù It is now two years
since the tragedy occurred
gbàà
n.
used in:
-nwu gbàà
shine, glitter, very brightly; be very white
-gbà-do
ext. suff. 1. all; entirely (cf. -gbà 3.)
-bụgbàdo
be entirely:
Ụmù ya niīnê bụgbàdò ndi orī All his children are thieves
-ligbàdo
eat altogether
-petùgbàdo
concern all
gbalagbala
n.
cleverness; smartness; agility
-gba-lì +
v.
be slender, slim
-gbalì àgbalì
be slender, slim
-me mgbalì
be slender, slim
gbamgbam
n.
tin; enamel pan; anything made of tin; corrugated iron sheet
ụnò gbamgbam
building with corrugated iron roofing, 'zinc house'
-gba-zè
v.
melt; change consistency of
-gbe 1.
v.
crawl; move stealthily
ògbugbe
crawling
-gbebà
creep in; encroach
-gbechìgha
crawl back
-gbe egbe
move stealthily, stalk
-gbefè
crawl over, past
98
-gbe igbē, igbe
crawl (like children)
-gbelèghalị
loiter, creep (about)
-gbenata
crawl home
-gbepùta
crawl out
mgbelè
stealthy walking; slow, snail-paced walk
-gbe + 2.
v.:
-gbe anya
steal a look at
-gbè
v.
mix, prepare (e.g. custard, cornflour, starch, or anything
which thickens in hot water)
-gbè àkàmù
mix, prepare liquid pap:
Achòlù m igbè àkàmù I want to prepare hot pap
-gbè àrụ
tire completely (make body soft, weak, like pap)
gbelele
n.
thinness
-dị gbelele
be thin
gbiìgbiì
n.
catfish (Clarias lazera)
-gbò
v.
A. prevent (aggravation); stop; staunch (blood); check or
relieve, prevent (disease); protect:
Achòlù m kà ị gbòo ōgbụgbọ ife sī n’ọkụ nà-àgbọ I want
you to check the bubbling of the thing on the fire
ògbùgbò
preventing
-gbòbì
part; prevent from fighting
-gbòchi
prevent; hinder
-gbò mkpà
relieve need; satisfy want; suffice; be useful:
Igwè Nnā āyị zụtaalụ m n'arō gālụ aga nà-egbòlụ m
nnukwu mkpà n'arō à màkà nà ọ bù ya kà m jìzì èje
akwụkwọ n'ụnò akwụkwọ m ọfụū tēlụ aka ri nnē The
bicycle bought for me by our father last year is very useful to
me this year, because it is the bicycle that I ride to my new
school, which is very far away
-gbò ògù
part (antagonists); arbitrate and make peace
-gbòsà
part (antagonists)
Ànìegbòka
person's name (lit. the land has offered very formidable
protection)
B. cover in order to prevent; cover
-gbò akwà
cover with cloth
-gbòchi
cover (so as to prevent looking in or attack)
akwà mgbòchi
curtain
ife mgbòchi
covering; veil; screen
-gbòdo
cover
mgbòdo
protection; covering; shield
-gbòpù
uncover
gboo
n.
early; formerly; long ago; ancient; olden (times):
Jèe gboo Go early:
99
Nàa gboo Go where you are going safely, and come back in
time:
Ọ dì gbo It has been so for a long time
gboo gboo
long, long ago
gboo lì
early; formerly; long ago; ancient; olden (times) (stronger
than gboo)
ndi gboo
the ancients
-gbọ 1.
v.
A. vomit
ògbụgbọ
vomit (n.)
-gbọ agbọō
vomit (vomit):
Ọ gịnī kpàtàlù ị jì àgbọ agbọō n'ùtụtù? Why were you
vomiting in the morning?
-gbọpù
vomit out
-gbọtò
vomit and leave the mess
-gbọ 2.
v.
bark; roar:
Anùlù m ogè nkịtā nà-àgbọ òdùm nā-agbọ n'òzàlà I heard
when the dog was barking at the lion that was roaring in the
wilderness
-gbọjà
shout at suddenly (so as to frighten)
-gbọ ùjà
bark; roar
-gbọ 3.
v.
remain; be over (cf. -fọ 1.)
-gbọ agbọ
remain over; be left
-gbọfọ
remain over; be spare
-gbọ 4.
v.
break off (forcibly and roughly)
-gbọkàpù
A. cut up meat
B. prune (tree); break off with force (e.g. as tree branch
breaking during a storm)
-gbọkwo
pluck (unripe fruit); miscarry (esp. of animals, but also of
humans)
-gbọkwopù
break off; pluck off; miscarry (very severe and accidental)
-gbọwa
split; hew (wood)
mgbọwa
crack; spliting
-gbọwapù
split up
-gbọ 5.
v.
boil (of water); bubble; foam; froth:
Mmilī nà-àgbọ The water is boiling
ògbụgbọ
foaming
-gbọ àgbọ
steam and bubble:
Ìtè nà-àgbọ āgbọ The pot is steaming and bubbling
-gbọ ùfụfù
foam; froth
gbọò
int.
word asking for confirmation or denial of a report; e.g. A
narrates to B something concerning C, and B turns to C saying
'Gbọò', which implies 'You have heard what A has said. Is it
true?' B then expects C to confirm or deny A's statement
100
-gbọ-tò, -gba-tò
v.
lay down:
Ebe à kà ọ gbōtòlù òkpu m nà-àchọ It is here that he
abandoned the hat I was looking for
-gbu 1.
v.
A. kill; cut; chop
ògbugbu mmadù
manslaughter; murder
-gbu afịfịa
clear weeds
-gbu akwụ
cut palm fruit
-gbubè
cut off, across; chop off:
Gbubèe yā isi Cut off his head, or Behead him:
Egbubègo m agwọ afù ìbùọ I have cut the snake into two
-gbucha
cut side of something; trim hedges; peel bark
-gbudo
cut and place; fix firmly
-gbudo anya
perceive; observe
-gbu egbugbu
tattoo; mark
-gbufo
hack a way through
-gbugwò
A. cut open (of pot or pot-like object, e.g. coconut, or
something breakable, e.g. plate, with knife or matchet):
Àchọrō m kà i gbugwòo akụ oyìbo afù I do not want you to
break that coconut (by cutting)
B. till (something hard)
-gbu ichi
cut ichi marks
-gbuji
cut off with knife or matchet; cut across:
Àda nà-àchọ igbuji ọdū Ada is going to cut the pestle (into
two)
-gbujipù
break off; cut off; chop off; (with knife, matchet)
-gbujirà
cut into two
-gbukasị
hew; cut to pieces
-gbulì
till (something soft)
-gbu mgbu
clear prospective farm; clear bush of trees
-gbunye
cut up and bring together into
-gbunye akpụ
steep, soak cassava in water
-gbunye ọgwù
cut up and bring together into a pot various herbs, roots and
other ingredients of native medicine:
Achòlù m igbu#nye ọgwù ịbà I want to brew malaria
medicine
-gbu ōchi
draw blood with horn or horn-shaped calabash from any part
of the body to relieve pain, swelling, congestion; get rid of
impure or stagnant blood
-gbu ọchù
commit murder (or manslaughter, but strictly murder)
-gbu ọkìkà
tattoo
-gbupù
kill outright; cut off
-gbusịsị
annihilate
-gbutòpù
massacre; complete the killing or cutting
101
-gbutù
fell; cut down (e.g. trees)
-gbu ugbō
farm, cultivate
-gbuwa, -gbuwe
cut open, break into two (e.g. coconut)
-gbuwa ụzò
cut new road
ògbu mmādù
‘man-killer’; a much-coveted honour in the olden days
conferred on anyone who possessed a human head
B. intoxicate
(mmanya) -gbu
be intoxicated by alcohol:
Mmanya nà-ègbu Ọjì Ọjị is intoxicated
-gbu ògùgò
gladden
-gbu 2.
v.
plant (tubers)
-gbu 3.
v.
blow (musical instrument)
-gbu òkpòlòfifìè
whistle:
Ùfọdụ mbà nà-àsọ igbu#òkpòlòfifìè nsọ Some towns forbid
whistling
-gbu òpì
blow horn, bugle
-gbu òjà
blow flute, whistle:
Afùlù m ndị nā-egbu òjà I saw some people playing flutes
-gbu 4.
v.
build, lay, mud wall
-gbu aja ụnò
build walls of mud building
-gbu 5.
v.
place (knees, elbows) against
-gbudo ǹkù akā
place the elbows against:
Egbudozina ǹkù akā n’enu oche nnī Stop putting your
elbows on the table
-gbu ikpèlè
kneel:
Bìanù kà ànyị gbue ikpèlè n'ànì O come and let us kneel
down
-gbu ikpèlè ụkwū
fall on one's knees; kneel
-gbu 6.
v.
coat, permeate (as paint, oil, dye, etc.)
-gbu nchà
soap oneself
-gbu ùlì
mark parts of the body with ùlì
-gbu 7.
v.
flash; glitter; shine
-gbu fìàfìà
flash; glitter
-gbu ìnyège ìnyègè
glisten (as water or glass in sun)
-gbuke
shine
-gbu màlàmàlà
shine; glitter
-gbu 8.
v.
hurt
-gbu mgbu
hurt; cause pain:
Ụkwụ nà-ègbu m mgbu My leg is hurting me
-gbu mgbu obì
pain in the heart
àrụ mgbu
pains; difficulty; agony; illness
ife mgbu
ailment
-gbu 9. +
v.:
102
-gbu ēgbu
intoxicate:
Mmanya ikē nà-ègbu ēgbu Local gin is intoxicating
gbùlùgbulù
a.
roundness; surroundings:
Onye ndi ilō gbàlù gbùlùgbulù nà-èche bē ya nche mgbè
niīne mgbè niīne A person surrounded by enemies always
keeps watch over his house
-gbụ +
v.
shed (leaves); remove:
Ọjī dī n’iru ụnō ānyị nà-àgbụ akwụkwọ The iroko tree in
the front of our house is shedding its leaves
-gbụ àgbụ
A. be slippery, slip on or off (of rings, bracelets)
B. be shed (leaves)
-gbụcha
shed leaves; slip; be slippery
-gbụcha ọnū
wash, rinse mouth:
Ogē òbùnà ị tàsìlì atụ gba mbò gbùchaa ọnū gị Whenever
you finish using your chewing stick, try and rinse your mouth
-gbụchapù
slip off; be out of joint
-gbụ mgbụ
shed leaves; strip:
Osisi dī nà mbala afīa adī àgbụ mgbụ The tree in the market
place never sheds its leaves
mgbụ ākwụkwọ
fallen leaves
-gbụnye
put on (ring, bracelet):
Gbùnye mgbànaka ǹke à kà m fụ etu ọ gà-àdị gī Put on this
ring and let me see how it fits you
-gbụ ọnụ mmīli
spit
-gbụpù
take off (e.g. shoe, ring); fall off (of leaves):
Achòlù kà ị gbụpù mgbànaka gī tupu ì bàta ụnò I want you
to remove your ring before you enter the house:
Ọjī dī n'òbi nà-àgbụpù akwụkwọ ọgè ǹcha The iroko tree
(Milicia excelsa) in the court sheds leaves at all times
-gbụtò
slip off and abandon:
Afūgo m ebe ọ gbūtòlù akpụkpọ ụkwū ya I have seen where
she (slipped off and) abandoned her shoes
-gbù
v.
lose appetite for; have eaten sufficiently and want no more
off; be fed up:
Nnī gbùlù m I have no appetite for food (in general):
Elīgo m ji ogonogo ọgè; kịtāà ọ gbùgo m I have eaten yam
for a long time; now I am fed up with it (specific cause -
monotony)
-gbù àgbù
be fed up; have lost appetite for; have no appetite for:
Ùdị ọlū à nà-agbū àgbù ọsọ ōsọ This kind of work quickly
becomes boring
-gè 1. +
v.
listen
-gè ntì
listen
103
-gè 2. +
v.:
-gè ǹgìgè
cordon round with rope or fence
genye nà
conj.
unless; until:
Agà m anò ebe à genye nà ò bìàlù I will be here until he
comes
Àyị amā eje ọlū genye nà ò mèlù ife ayị chòlù We shall not
work unless he does what we want.
GH.
-gha 1.
v.
A. change (usu. for worse); turn; alter; turn round
òghụgha, òghịgha
change, turning (usu. for worse)
aya ōghụgha, enu ōghụgha, ife ōghụgha changing of state of
things for the worse, esp. in social matters, fashion, etc.:
Ọ bù aya ōghụgha mèlù nà ụmù àgbọghò nà-èjizi akā fa
aròlụ di sōlụ fa It is the changing of the state of things for the
worse that has brought about marriageable girls choosing their
husbands by themselves
-gha agha
change, alter (usu. for worse)
-gha anya
turn the eyes; long for; expect:
Bikō ghà anyā Please look this way
-gha anya n'àzụ
look backwards; look, glance back:
Agwàlù m yà kà o jìsie ikē ghàlụ ịghā anya n'àzụ I told him
to strive hard without looking backwards:
Onye nā-amù ịgbā igwè adā àgha anyā n'àzụ ọgè ọ nò
n’enu#ya A person just learning to ride a bicycle does not
look backward while on it
-ghagbu
A. confuse; play complicated trick (on someone); cheat:
Ibè àghagbugo m; o kwèsìlì kà mụ kèta ego īli n’ego mụ nà
ya kètàlù, mà sòọsò ego īnọ kà m kètàlù Ibe has tricked me;
I ought to get one naira out of the money we shared, but I got
only forty kobo
nghagbu
cheating; trickery
onye nghagbu
a trickster
B. toss about before dying
-ghaghalị
turn round, about
-ghakpù iru
turn upside down; lie face downwards
-ghalị àzụ
turn round; go back
àma ūgha
false witness
B. followed by -lị, used as suffix meaning ábout'
-jeghalị
stroll about:
Agū nà-èjeghalị n'òzàlà ịmā mà ọ nwè ife ọ gà-àfụ
kpachalị Agụ is going about in the grassland to see if he can
104
find some (animal) to take
-kwaghalị
move (things) about
-kwụghalị
loiter about lazily
-maghalị
jump about
-gha 2.
v.
scatter, throw (broadcast); sow (broadcast)
òghụgha
scattering:
Anà m èje ịghā osè
I am going to sow pepper seeds (broadcast)
-gha mkpụlū
sow seeds (broadcast)
-gha mkpụlụ osisi
sow seeds (broadcast)
-ghasà
sow by scattering; scatter
-ghà
v.
pass; overtake; leave; surpass; let alone; leave off; fail
òghùghà
passing, etc.
Ghàa yā aka Leave him alone!
Ụgbọ afù ghàlù àyị nà Nnoòbì The car overtook us at
Nnoobi
-ghàgbu
leave someone far behind:
Ndị mmụ nà fa yìbido ijè aghàgbugo m The people I started
the journey with have left me far behind
-ghàlụ = -ghà
-gbaghà
overshoot (one's target)
-gha-lị
see -gha 1.B.
-ghe 1.
v.
be open; open; yawn; gape
-ghekpọ
yawn; pant
-ghe oghe, -ghe
be open:
oghē
Ụzò ghè oghē The door is open
-ghe ughelē
yawn
-kwùghe
open; take off lid or cover:
Bikō kwùghee ìtè Please uncover the pot
oghē
opening
oghele
opening; opportunity
-ghe 2.
v.
fry
òghighe
frying
-ghekpọ
fry dry
-ghe ògèdè
fry plantains
anụ ōghighe
fried meat
anụ eghēleghe
fried meat
-ghè
v.
be properly cooked
òghìghè
being properly cooked
-ghèdè
cook very soft (esp. of carbohydrate food)
-ghèkpò
cook properly (esp. of meat, fish); be well cooked
-sighè
cook properly
-ghè-li
v.
cut into pieces:
105
Ghelìe anụ afù Cut that meat into pieces
-jeghèli
wander about at random
-meghèli
fool about
ghòlòghòlò
n.
watery, light consistency (of soup, broth, etc.; cf. gologolo)
-dị ghòlòghòlò
be watery
-gba ghòlòghòlò
be watery
-ghọ 1.
v.
A. go wrong; miss; be mistaken
òghụghọ
mistaking
-ghọ aghọ
be a mistake; show a loss:
Ibè akpāchàpùrò anya wèlụ gbu ewu mmadù kamà ọ
ghòlù yà àghọ Ibe did not deliberately kill another man's
goat; it was a mistake
òghọm̄
mistake; mishap
B. show a loss
-ghọ afịa
suffer loss in trade:
Àda àkwụsigo mgbele azù màkà nà ọ ghōgo yā afịa Ada
has stopped her fish trade because it has shown a loss
òghọm̄
loss
-ghọ 2.
v.
A. catch (object falling from a height or thrown)
òghụghọ
catching:
Anà m èje ịghō ife ọ nà-àchọ ịtūpùlù m site n’enu osisi I am
going to catch what he is going to drop for me from the top of
the tree
-ghọdo
catch something falling
-ghọlụ = -ghọ
catch:
Ghòlụ ife ọ nà-àchọ ịtūpùlù gị Catch what he is going to
throw to you
B. pick, pluck fruit
-ghọta
pick; pluck; snatch at
C. collect dripping liquid
Achòlù m ijī afele wèlụ ghọta mmili na-ātụsịsị n'ànì I want
to use a plate to collect the water dripping on the floor
D. understand
-ghọdo
understand well:
Achòlù m kà ị ghọdo ife m nà-èkwu òfụma I want you to
understand what I am saying well:
Àghọdōsịrọ m okwu ị nà-èkwu n'ùtụtù màkà nà anà m
akù mgbanù ọgè ị nà-èkwu okwu#I did not quite get what
you were saying in the morning because I was in a hurry when
you were speaking
-ghọta
understand:
Achòlù m kà ị ghọta okwu#m I want you to understand my
word:
106
Aghōtago m ife ị nà-àkụzili m I have understood what you
are teaching me
nghọta
understanding
-ghò 1.
v.
change, develop into; become
òghùghò
changing
-ghòlụ
change, develop into; become:
Akpụkpa dī n'àrụ Īwu aghòlụgo ọyà ọcha The rash on
Iwu's body has developed into leprosy
-ghò 2.
v.
play trick; trick; work deceit:
Kèdụ ife ị nà-aghò ebe afù? What trick are you up to there?
-ghò aghùghò
be cunning; deceive; work deceit; play trick; trick
-ghòdo
trick someone into missing something elsewhere
-ghògbu
confuse, play trick on someone
-ghòlị
‘deceive’ by exerting pre-natal influence on child to resemble
oneself. If a pregnant woman keeps constant company with
another person, during much of the pregnancy, the child is
very likely to resemble that person when born:
Òbìàgèlî ghòlìlì Àda ọgè a dì ime Āda, ị fūrọ etu Àda sìlì yi
yā? Ọbịageli ‘deceived’ Ada while Ada was in the womb;
don't you see how Ada resembles her?
-ghu
v.
cook; boil (cf. -si)
òghughu
cooking:
Gịnī kà ị nà-àchọ ighu#? What are you preparing to boil?
-ghụ 1.
v.
(cf. -gwò) pluck out; extract (e.g. like eyes); remove, scoop
(e.g. coconut flesh from shell)
òghụghụ
plucking out; extraction:
Ì jèkò ịghū m anya? Are you going to pluck out my eye?
-ghụlụ
pluck out; extract (and take away)
-ghụ 2.
v.
bath
-gi-de, -ji-de, -de
ext. suff.1.
against:
-kwugide
speak against:
Fa nà-èkwugide yā èkwugide They are speaking against him
-megide
act against
-nwụde
seize; throw in wrestling; catch (e.g. thief) red-handed
gìdìgìdì
n.
disorder; trouble (cf. Yoruba gìdìgìdì of violent physical
movement, esp. fighting):
Ụnō à nà-adà gìdìgìdì There is great trouble in this house.:
Ogè ife à mèlù mmadù niīne wèe na-àgba gìdìgìdì When
this thing happened all the people were running helter-skelter
gị
pron.
(independent; 2nd pers. sg.) you, your (sg.); thou; thee; thy
(cf. ǹgị):
mụ nà gị
you and I
ǹkè gị
yours; thine:
107
Ọ nà-àgwa gī He is telling you
-gị-gàdo +:
-gịgàdo aka
catch hold of (of someone weak, e.g. spider)
gịlịgịlị
n.
thinness; slightness; slenderness
gịnī?
int.
what?
gịnī zị?
what? what then?
gịnī kpàtàlù?
why?
gịnī mèlù?
what happened?
màkà gịnī?
for what? for what reason?
ò gịnī?
what?
-go 1.
v.
buy; hire (men, things)
-gokọ
buy together
-gokọlụ
buy all
-golu
buy; hire (things)
-gote
buy from
-gotelụ
buy for someone
-go 2. +
v.:
-go ngo
give a reward or inducement
-go 3.
infl. suff.
(perfect marker):
Ọ nātago He has arrived:
Ọ gwūgo It has finished:
Ì pùtago ūla Good morning (lit. Have you come out of the
sleeping room?)
-go 4.
ext. suff. 1.
upwards (related to ngō, upper part):
Ụmù akwụkwọ nà-akwàgo motō Ōbelē enu ugwu#Students
are pushing Obele's car up the hill.:
Afù m Obelē kà ọ nà-àgbago ụzò ụnò akwụkwọ I saw
Obele going upwards in the direction of the school.:
Afù m Obelē kà ọ nà-àlịgo ajā I saw Obele climbing up the
wall
-gò + 1.
v.
make a noise
-gò akwa
bewail; lament
-gòli
rejoice; make a joyful noise
-gò + 2.
v.:
-gò iru
be coy; hesitate to grant a favour which one actually wants to
grant
-go-du
ext.suff.
first; beforehand; preceding (cf. -du 3.):
Bìàgodu fū m tupu ì jebe afīa Come and see me first before
going to the market:
Chèegodu! Wait first!
gogògo
n.
fish sp. (Ichthyborus besse)
gologolo
n.
wateriness (of soup, broth, etc.; cf. ghòlòghòlò):
Achòlù m ofe dī gologolo I want a watery soup
108
-go-si
v.
show
O gōsigo ōnwe yā He has shown himself (in his true colours):
Ọ nà-èje igōsi ya ụnō Ōfọ He is going to show him Ọfọ's
house
ngosi
revelation; show
-mùgosi
teach:
Ọ nà-amùgosi yā etu e sì egbē àkàmù He is teaching him
how liquid pap is prepared
-gọ 1.
v.
deny
-gọ àgìgò, àgùgò
deny (a fact)
-gọ agọ
deny
-gọnarị
deny (knowledge of something)
-gọ 2.
v.
worship
-gọ alūsị
worship a deity
-gọ ọjị
offer kolanuts to the ancestors or deities
-gọ mmụō
worship spirits (by presenting kolanuts)
Fâ nà-àgọ mmụō They are worshipping spirits
ịgōmmụọ
worshipping spirits
-gọ 3.
v.
bless
-gọ òfọ
bless with òfọ, the symbol of authority
-gọzi
bless; invoke a blessing
ngọzi
A. blessing
B. female name
-gò + 1.
v.
be related by marriage
-gò ọgò
perform duties of a relation by marriage
ọgò
in-law; relative by marriage
ọgò nwaànyì
mother-in-law; female relative by marriage
ọgò nwokē
father-in-law; male relative by marriage
-gò 2.
ext. suff. 1.
make, be bent (cf. ngò crookedness)
-dọgò
pull crooked
-tigò
bend by beating:
Ụzụ nà-ètigō mkpịsī The blacksmith is beating the spike to
bend it
-gu
see -gwu
-gù +
v.:
-gù mmilī
be damp (as of salt)
-gụ 1.
v.
count; read
ògụgụ
figures; number(s); counting; reading; recitation
ọnụ ōgụgụ
numbering; the Book of Numbers (Bible)
-gụdà
read through
-gụfìè
misread
-gụkọta
add up; reckon; count
-gụmì
read deeply
109
-gụnwù
read again
-gụnye
add; reckon; count in:
fì gụnyego fā? Have you counted them in the group?
-gụnye nà
reckon as; account
-gụ ọnū
count; reckon
-gụpù
count out
-gụsi ike
read out forcefully
-gụtè aka
read for a long time
agụkata àgbà àwarị an uncountable number
-gụ- + 2.
v.
desire; like; want; need (with thing desired or needed as
subject)
-gụ agụū
hunger; desire; long for
(agụū) -gụ
be hungry
(mmilī) -gụ
be thirsty:
Mmilī nà-àgụ yā She is thirsty
(ndù) -gụ
want to live
(ọnwụ) -gụ
want to die:
fì chọrō ịchàlù motò òfụma, ọ dì kà ọnwụ ò nà-àgụ gī? You
don't want to give way properly to the lorry; it seems you
want to die?
-gụ- 3.
v.
bring; fetch; pick out
-gụpùta
rescue (from fire or water:
Ọ gụpùtàlì yà nà mmilī He rescued him from drowning
-gụta ọkụ
fetch fire
-gụ 4.
see -gwụ
-gù + 1.
v.
give name to; name
-gù afà
name; give a name
agù
namesake
-gù + 2.
v.:
(àkpịlī) -gù
lose voice (as a result of excessive straining of the voice
resulting from long speech or cold)
-gù 3.
v.
embrace; grip; enclose in arms
-gù-gù
v.
soothe, hush, comfort (e.g. small child):
Ọ nà-àgụgū yā akwa She is soothing (the baby) to make it
stop crying
-gùgùta
soothe; comfort; soothe to make stop crying (small child)
110
GW.
-gwa 1.
v.
tell (no vowel suffix):
Gwa m ife mēlụ ị bīarọ ùnyàafù Tell me why you did not
come yesterday:
Ọ chò igwā m ịfe He wants to tell me something
ògwụgwa
telling
-gwagbu
slander (a person) to death; curse bitterly
-gwaghalị
tell again
-gwakwụlụ
reply
-gwa okwu
address
-gwata
hint to a person
-gwa 2.
v.
mix
ògwụgwa
mixing
-gwa agwa
mix
-gwa gàrị
mix gari
-gwa mmanya
mix wine with water or other wine
-gwazi
mix properly
-gwa 3.
v.
revenge; avenge
-gwa ọchù
take revenge
-kụgwa
revenge, avenge a beating
-megwa
revenge; avenge (lit. do back):
Agà m èmegwa yā ịfe ọ mēlụ m I will take vengeance for
what he did to me
-tigwa
revenge; avenge beating (lit. beat back):
Ọ bụlụ nà o tie gī ịfe, tìgwalụ yā If he beats you, beat him
back
-gwe
v.
pound, grind (usu. dry objects)
ògwugwe
pounding
-gwelì
pound well
-gwe ọkà
pound corn
-gwesị
pound all
ǹgwe
grinder; apparatus, machine for grinding
gwègèlègwègèlè
n.
weak flabbiness
-tụ gwègèlègwègèlè
move in a weak, flabby way
-gwò
ext. suff. 1.
into pieces (something harder than -)
-gbugwò
cut open (pot, etc.), till (something hard)
-tigwò
break into pieces (e.g. iron pot)
-gwọ 1.
v.
mix; cure
ògwụgwọ
curing
-gwọ nsị
work sickness or death by means of magic or poison
-gwọ ọgù, ọgwù
make poison or medicine
-gwọ ọyà
cure disease
111
-gwọ ụla
keep oneself awake by using kolanuts, drugs, etc.
dibìà ọkpùlụ ōgwọọ! praise name for a native doctor (lit.
doctor who cures as soon as he sips). Native doctors
sometimes sip or chew certain medicines in the mouth, then
spit it on any part of the patient's body, or in the air, following
this sometimes by incantations
ògwọ ǹnù ọyà
panacea; medicine capable of curing all diseases (lit. ‘curer of
400 diseases’)
-gwọ + 2.
v.:
-gwọ ụla
snore
-gwọ 3.
v.
sit with the lower limbs twisted and drawn up, as a lame
person or as Moslems during prayer; sit with the lower limbs
drawn up (usually on the floor)
-gwọlụ
be seated on flat surface (e.g. floor) and unable to stand
-gwọ ǹgwụlō
sit with the lower limbs drawn up (like a lame person, usually
on the floor) (cf. -ǹgwụlō)
ǹgwòlù ǹgwọlụ,
(slang) food prepared by mashing together different kinds of
ǹgwòlùǹgwọ
food (e.g.
akpụ a gwōlụ agwọ
shredded cassava mashed with ụkwà or òkwè)
-gwò + 1.
v.:
-gwò àgwò
be flexible, pliant:
Osisi à gwòlù àgwò This tree is flexible
-gwò ile
speak in metaphor or slang unintelligible to an outsider
-gwò
v.
scrape, scoop out (cf. -ghụ)
ògwùgwò
scraping; scooping out
-gwò ofe
take all the meat, etc., of soup at expense of others
-gwu, -gu
v.
dig
ògwugwu
digging
-gwufìè
dig in the wrong direction
-gwumì
dig deep inside
-gwu ọba
make a barn of yams
-gwupùte
dig up
-gwurube
dig around:
Ọ nà-ègwurube ànì n’ukwù osisi He is digging holes around
the tree
-gwute
dig up:
-gute ji
harvest yams
-gwù unyì
dig, mine coal
-gwù + 1.
v.
swim
ògwùgwù
swimming
-gwufè
swim across
-gwù mmilī
swim
-gwù + 2.
v.
play
112
-gwù egwu
play
-gwùli egwu
play about
ngwùli
play; fun
-gwùso egwu
play with someone
-gwụ, gụ
v.
finish
ògwụgwụ
ending (cf. ngwụsị)
-gwụcha
finish; end
-gwụfọ
finish, leaving a little quantity:
Ọ gūfọgo It is just about to run out
-gwụ ike
tire; be weary; be tired; have one's energy sapped:
Ife à àgwụgo m ike I am tired of this thing, or, This thing has
tired me
-gwụsị
finish
ngwusị
ending (cf. ògwụgwụ):
Ọ gà-àbịa ebe à na ngwụsị arò She will come here towards
the ending of the year
agwū agwụ
inexhaustible
ike ōgwụgwụ
tiredness
H.
haà!
int.
oh! (surprise)
heì!
int.
oh! (surprise)
I
i
see
i-
see ị-
ibe
n.
A. part (of); piece (of)
ibe akwà
piece of cloth
ibe akwụkwọ
sheet, piece, of paper
ibelibe
a small piece:
ibelibe ìtè
potsherd:
ibelibe nkū
splinter
ibe naàbò
two pieces
Ìtè afù tìwàlù ibe
The pot broke into two pieces
naàbò
ibe nkū
plant; piece of wood
ibe nnī
a piece of food (like yam, cocoyam, etc.)
Sùlu òfu ibe nnī
Take a piece of food
113
ibe òlòma
segment of orange
ibe osisi
part of tree (split from the main body)
n’ibe n’ibe
in pieces; to pieces; piece by piece
-wa ibe
break, smash, into pieces
ibē
n.
A. pledge; security; pawn; hostage
-gba ibē
pledge; give as security:
Ejìlì m ewu gba Òbi ibē I pawned my goat to Obi:
Ejìlì m ụnò m gbalụ ibē I gave my house as
security/mortgaged my house:
Ọ gbàlù ndù ya n’ibē He insured his life:
Ò jì m gba ibē? Am I a pawn at his mercy?
-jide n’ibē
hold as hostage:
E jìdèlù yà n’ibe He's a hostage
B. bet:
Ibē fìèlù m I lost the bet
-ma ibē
bet; stake
ibè
n.
companion; neighbour;
ibē ānyị
comrades; friends; compatriots; companions;
ikwu nà ibè
relatives and neighbours; kinsfolk and friends
-sòchì ibè n’àzụ
walk in single file; follow immediately behind each other;
follow immediately behind or after companions
ìbèlì
n.
instrument with cane handle and many cords, used for
flogging or for killing flies
ibì
n.
hydrocele
amù ibì
hydrocele
-dà ibì
have hydrocele
ìbìlì
n.
adult woman; married woman
ìbìli àchì
adult woman; married woman
ìbome, ubom
n.
metal gong used by town-crier, or by titled man on feast-days
to summon the ancestors
ibu
n.
load (-bu 1. carry)
ibu alō
heavy load:
O bù ibu alō He is carrying a heavy load
(ibu) -nyì
weigh heavily (of load); be heavy-laden (of person):
Ibu nà-anyī m#I am weighed down by a load
(ibu) -nyìgbu
weigh heavily on (of load); be heavy-laden (of person):
Ibu nà-ànyìgbu onyebulu nā-ebugalụ ānyị ibu n’ụgbọ The
load is weighing heavily on the carrier who is carrying our
luggage to the lorry
anụ ibū
beast of burden
ànyìnyà ibū
donkey; mule; ass
-bo ibu
lift a load on to someone's head
-kwa ibu
pack loads, belongings, luggage
114
ibù
n.
bigness; size
-bù ibù
be big:
O bù ibu
It is big
-tu ibù
be stout
iche 1.
n.
missile; stone for throwing or use with catapult
iche ọkū
spark (lit. missile of fire)
-tụ iche
throw missile:
Ọ nà-àchọ ịtū ǹgwèle nō n’enu ajā iche She wants to throw
something at the lizard on the wall
iche 2.
n.
used in:
iche òkù
parrot
ichè
n.
difference; apartness; separateness
ichè ichè
various; different:
Ife dī ichè ichè dì n’afịa Ònìchà There are different kinds of
things in Onitsha market
-bi ichè
live separately
-dị ichè
be different:
Ọ dì ichè It is different
ife dī ichè a different thing
n’ichè n’ichè
different; various; differently
ichekē
n.
yam which turns red when cut
ichēku
see chalekū
ichèlè
n.
shells of palm nuts
ichèlè akū
shells of palm kernels
ichi
n.
marks on body and face
-gbu ichi
cut ichi marks
Ìchiè
n.
(also ndị Ìchiè, ndi ìchìe ànì) titled people; wise old men;
chiefs; king's counsellors
ìde
n.
post; doorpost (cf. isò)
Ìdebūànì
male name (lit. pillar that holds the land)
ìde jī ụnò
chief person supporting family (lit. pillar holding the house)
ideèlè
n.
general name for fish of the family Schilbeidae (= ịjaàrì)
idèì, idè
n.
flood; torrent; spate (caused by rainfall, cf. ijī for flooding of
river):
Idèì likpùlù ụzò The flood has covered the road
aja idèì
heap of sand collected by flood after rain fall
ụzò idèì
trench; channel; gutter
Ìdemmīli
n.
A. an alūsị with a cult, usually with one shrine on the land
and another in the water
B. name of a stream
Ìdemmīli Òbosi
the Idemmili stream at Obosi
idìdè
n.
earthworm
idò
n.
brown 'tailor ant'
115
ife, ịfe
n.
thing; anything; possession; article
ife afīa
small edible articles bought by women for their children
ife aghā, ife ayā
weapon
ife alū
abomination:
Ọ mèlù ịfe alū He committed an abomination, sacrilege
ife arịma
token; sign; omen:
Ife arịma èmego A significant thing has happened
ife àtù
example; sample (also used as female name)
ife èbùbè
a wonder
ife ekike
finery; adornment
ife enunu
domestic animals; cattle; poultry
-kpa ife enunu
keep livestock
ife gālụ aga
past event; past thing
ife ibī ụnò
furniture
ife ikē
violence
ife inē ọlụ
prize; reward
ife iwē
annoying thing
ife izè, òzìzè
thing to avoid; offensive thing
ife izè ǹ
shelter (e.g. from rain)
ife ịtū n’anya
surprising thing
ife mbèlède
chance; accident
ife mbụ
the first thing
ife mfiedo
girdle; belt
ife mgbòchi
covering; veil; screen
ife mgbu
suffering; painful thing
ife mkpalị
scorn; mockery; disrespect
ife mkpofù
offal
ife mwuta, ife
painful, distressing thing
mwute
ife nchèta
memorial
ife ndapùta
event; occurrence
ife nkèta
inheritance
ife nkịtị
nothing; useless, contemptible thing
ife nsiji
dye
ife nsō
A. forbidden thing
B. holy thing
ife ntụchì
bolt
ife ntụmādị
accident; unexpected, sudden thing
ife nzizo, nzuzo
secret thing
ife nŋòmi
pattern; example worthy of emulation
ife nnwùta
something borrowed
ife ōghughu
abdominal discomfort after delivery
ife ōlulo
hurt; pain
116
ife onū
necklace
ife ònyìnyò
image; likeness; resemblance
ife orī
stolen goods
ife ōbụnà
whatever; anything
ife ògù
arms; weapon
ife ōgbụgba
post-partum haemorrhage (P.P.H.); menorrhagia (excessive
loss at menstrual period)
ife ōghụgha
changing of state of things for worse
ife ọjọō
bad, evil, thing or deed
ife ōkụkụ
anything to be planted
ife ōlịla
something drinkable
ife ọlū
tool; instrument
ife ọma
nice, good thing
ife ōŋụŋụ
something drinkable
ife òzọ
another thing
ife ūfụ
painful, distressing thing
ajō ife
abomination; defilement
amā ife
ignorance
-bà n’ịfe
be useful; profit; benefit
-gbànyè n’ife
reckon with; regard; care for; consider (as important)
-ma ife
have sense; be wise
òòbò ifē, òbùbò ifē
heap of something
-pịa ife
whip; flog; punish; chastise
ìfè
n.
A. light (of day)
B. civilization
Anyaanwū nà-ènye ùwà ìfè The sun illuminates the world
(ìfè) -tiwa
(of civilization) be widespread:
Ìfè ètiwago nà Nàìjirīà, ndi mmādù adā àgbazilị ibè fa orù
Civilization has become widespread in Nigeria; people no
longer serve their fellow beings as slaves
-pùta ìfè
come out into the open; be made manifest, not secret:
Ndi nā-emebī īwu adā àchọ kà ajō ife fa nà-ème pùta ìfè
Criminals never want their bad deeds to come out into the
open
Ìfèjiọkū
n.
Yam Spirit, who is worshipped before planting begins and for
whom the New Yam Festival (òwụwa jī) is held
isī nni Ìfèjiọkū
to cook food, by a girl who is pregnant for the first time and
presented to Ifejiọkụ
ifelē, ịfelē
n.
shame; shyness; reserve:
Ifelē ekwērọ ya àyọ ayìyọ He was too ashamed
(embarrassed) to beg
enwē ifelē
unrestrained; unabashed
iru ifelē
modesty, blushing
117
-me ifelē
put to shame
-menye ifelē n’iru
make ashamed of oneself (lit. bring shame to one's face)
-nwe ifelē
be shy, restrained, reserved
(ifelē) -me
be ashamed:
Ifelē mèlù onye orī afù ogè fa jìdèlù ya The thief was
ashamed when he was caught
ifì
n.
used in:
-sà ifì
confess voluntarily to crime, abomination, or other bad deed
ifùlù
n.
small fish with fins, caught when the Niger falls (November)
ìfulū
n.
flower; blossom (cf. ìgùgù)
-kpọ ìfulū
blossom; flower (cf. -kpọ ìgùgù)
-ra ìfulū
blossom; flower
ìgèdu
n.
timber
igiligi
n.
dew
ìgo
n.
twisted foot
ìgòsì
n.
used in:
ụmū ìgòsì
children; young children
igù
n.
palm-branch; large size of òmụ nkwū
ìgùgù
n.
flower; blossom; (cf. ìfulū)
-kpọ ìgùgù
blossom; flower
ìgùlùbè, ìgùlùbe
n.
ladder
igbē
n.
crawling
-gbe igbē
crawl (like children):
Ọ nà-ègbe igbē He is crawling
ìgbe
n.
bow; casket
ìgbènù
n.
fish (Heterotis niloticus) (= ègbìlì)
ìgbìlì, ìgbì
n.
gum (of mouth)
-kwọ ìgbì
rub the gums (of teething child)
ìgbo, ìgbogīdi
n.
general name for top minnows, family Cyprinodontidae
Ìgbò
n.
A. the Igbo people in general; the Igbo language:
Abù m onye Ìgbò
I am an Igbo person
-sụ Ìgbò
speak Igbo
B. (when qualifying another noun) indigenous, as opposed to
something of outside origin
afā Ìgbò
Igbo name (versus afà Oyìbo, European name)
efi Ìgbò
dwarf cattle (versus efi Awụsa, zebu cattle)
ofe Ìgbò
type of palm-oil
C. in a more restricted sense, the upland people to the east of
the Niger (also ndị Ìgbò), contrasted with Olu (also ndị Olū),
the riverain Igbo. The people of Onitsha itself do not classify
themselves with either Ìgbò or Olu (Henderson 1972: 40 - 41,
89 n.)
Ìgbò Adàgbè
term for most of the peoples of Anambra Division
118
Ìgbò Agba Enū
term for the peoples of Idemmīli, Aguata and Awka Divisions
ìgbogīdi
see ìgbo
ìgbùdù 1.
n.
imitation coffin containing plantain stem representing dead
person, thrown away in the bush during the second burial
ìgbùdù 2.
n.
trap for animals (esp. grasscutter)
igwē 1.
n.
sky; heaven; firmament, regarded as an alūsị created directly
by Chukwu
Igwē ka Ànì
A. title for an Obi or Ezè
B. name of a very notorious and powerful Igbo cult, with
which many important Igbos were connected. It has been
banned by legislation
Igwē nà Ànì
(in Nri thought) the firmament and the earth, which together
make up Ùwà, the visible world
Igwē nā-ezùlu òrà
praise-name for someone who has taken highest title
enu igwē
the sky; heaven
enu igwē nà ùwà
A. heaven and earth
B. title for a king or chief
iru igwē
weather; sky (= iru anyaanwū)
igwē 2.
n.
salutation for a king
Fâ nà-ètu yā igwē They are saluting him 'Igwē!'
igwè
n.
iron; any type of machinery or mechanical contrivance
igwè ịkwā akwà
sewing-machine
-gba igwè
ride bicycle
ǹdele igwè
iron rod used for fighting
okpòlò igwè
rod of iron
ọnyà igwè
steel trap
ìgwè
n.
large number
ìgwè atụlū
flock of sheep
Ìgwè bù ike
A. Union is strength
B. Man’s name
ìgwe mmadù
large crowd
igwu
n.
louse
igwu akwà
cloth-louse
igwu isī
head-louse
igwù
n.
palm-fronds
-kpà igwù
prepare palm-fronds
ìgwùlùbè, ìgùlùbè
n.
locust
ijè
n.
journey
Nwayòò bù ijè slow and steady wins the race (lit. gentleness
is the journey)
-buni ijè
start on a journey
ijè ọma
farewell!
-pù ijè
go on tour; travel
119
-ranyè ijè
pick one's way; move on slowly; step; toddle
-sètịpù ijè
embark or continue on a journey
onye ijè
traveller
ìjelè 1., ìjerè
n.
soldier ant (cf. elùuluū, the more typical Onitsha word)
ìjelè 2.
n.
a graceful masquerade with a very large complex mask
ìjèlè
n.
small round jingling metal bells worn while dancing; strung
bells
ijī
n.
annual flooding of the Niger (contrast idèì). The signs of the
flood are:
1. àtịtā, loud bubbles in the river
2. Àkèle nà-àkpọ ijī The akele (frog) is calling the flood
3. Mmilī nà-erùghalị āzụ The water is flowing backwards
(i.e. becomes sluggish)
ijīji
n.
fly; housefly
ike
n.
strength; authority; force; power
ike ōgwụgwụ
fatigue; tiredness; exhaustion
aka ikē
A. rigid discipline
B. stinginess
C. force; violence:
Ezè afù jì aka ikē wèlu àchị ndi òbòdò ya The chief
enforces rigid discipline in his town
anya ikē
A. boldness; greed; fearlessness
B. axe
àrụ ikē
health
-fiedosi ike
tighten
-gwụ ike
tire; make weary, tired; sap energy (lit. finish energy)
ife ikē
violence
isi ikē
rebellion
onye isi ikē
a rebel
jè si ikē
salutation to one starting on a journey
-kedosi ike
tighten
-kwàsi ike
push firmly
-kwusi ike
speak strongly or loudly
-kwụsị ike
stand firm
-lụsi ike
work hard, energetically
-me isi ikē
be headstrong
-me n’ike
do violently, forcibly
ǹga ọlụ ikē
imprisonment with hard labour
-nwe ike
be capable, strong, able
enwē ike
strengthless; a weakling
obì ikē
hardheartedness, relentlessness
òchịchị aka ikē
tyranny
-si ike
be strong, hard, difficult
120
ikè
n.
bottom; hinder part; buttock(s); anus; rectum
ikè mmānya
dregs
ikèì
n.
old man; old
ndị ikèì
the elders
ìkekele
n.
used in:
-ta ìkekele ezē
grind teeth
ike kwọ, ike kwe
perhaps:
Ike kwọ agà m àbịa Perhaps I will come
ìkele
n.
used in:
òkpa ìkele
groundnut
ikèlike
n.
crumbs; fragments
ikèlike ākwa
eggshell
ikèlike ọkū
spark
Ìkeǹ 1.
n.
personification of the strength of a man’s right hand,
symbolizing success; image representing Ìkeǹ personal to a
man and split at his funeral
aka ìkeǹ
right hand
ìkeǹ 2.
n.
jar for storing palm wine
ìkeǹ 3.
n.
used in:
ìkeǹgà elùuluū
giant ants, with very big heads, seen among smaller ones
ikènyè, ikènyà
n.
grown men; elders; principal men
ìkìkè
n.
used in:
òkụkū ìkìkè
small fowl; pullet
ìkili
n.
joint used in:
ìkili akā
elbow
ìkili ezē
part of jaw near molar
ìkili ụkwū
heel
ìkiti
n.
used in:
ìkiti ụkwū
(sound of) footstep
ikō
n.
fish-trap
ìko
n.
cup; drinking vessel
èlèle īko èlèlè
boiled in tins (e.g. milk tins) instead of being wrapped in
leaves
nju ìko
cupful
ikòlò, ukòlò
n.
wooden drum, played on great occasions, e.g. when a great
man dies, or as an alarm for war
Nwaànyì adī àgba ukòlò Women cannot dance to the ikòlò
(because only men who have killed can dance to it)
ìkolobìà
n.
see òkolo
ìkòm
n.
male (opp. of ìnyòm)
ndị ìkòm
males; men
ìkù, ǹ
n.
eyebrow (also ìkù anyā)
ìkùkù
n.
breeze; wind; gale
121
ìkùku ọgbarù
south wind; breeze from down-river
ikpe
n.
judgement
ikpe kwū ọtọ
justice:
Ezè afù kpèlù ikpe kwū ọtọ The king administered justice
-chi ikpe
complain; make complaint
-kè ikpe
give judgement
-ma ikpe
condemn:
A màlù ya ikpe orī He was found guilty of stealing
àmàmikpe
condemnation, conviction (in case)
onye ikpē
judge
ụnò ikpē
court of law
ìkpè
n.
slander; bad things said about one with exaggeration or
untruth
ìkpe āzụ
see -kpè + 1.
ikpèlè
n.
knee
-gbu ikpèlè
kneel
ìkpele
n.
edge; border; bank
ìkpele mmīli
bank of the river
ikpo
n.
collection, set (of things); large crowd (of people) (contrast
mkpù)
ikpo afịfịa
rubbish-heap
ikpo akwụkwọ
set of books
ikpo mmadù
large crowd of people
ìkpo
n.
square bronze bell
mmụō īkpo
masquerade covered with ìkpo
ìkpò 1.
n.
tall coarse tufted grass
ìkpò 2.
n.
see ùkpò
ìkpoòkpò
n.
general name for cichlid fish, Tilapia and Hemichromis
genera, and extended to similar fish
ìkpoòkpo àgù
Tilapia galilaea
ìkpoòkpò akasa
Tilapia nilotica
ìkpoòkpò nkōlọ
Cichlidae tenopoma kingsleyae
ìkpoòkpò ọnụ
Hemichromis fasciatus
ogonogo
ìkpoòkpò ụnò dị
Tilapia aurea
mmā
ikpù
n.
hairy part in front of genitals of either sex; vulva
ìkpulū
n.
worm; maggot
ikwè
n.
mortar
ikwu
n.
relative (general term):
Ọ kpò ndị ikwū ya He summoned his relatives
ikwu nà ànyị
our people
ikwu nà ibè
relatives and neighbours; kinsfolk and friends
122
ikwu nnē
the home quarter of one's mother
ikwuù
n.
used in:
ụnò ikwuù
moveable house; tent; booth
ile
n.
tongue
ile ọkū
flame; spark; hot part of fire
-de n’ile
taste
ekike ilē
string of the tongue
-gwò ile
clip words
-lapùta ile
put out the tongue
ìlè
n.
power; potency; effectiveness (of thing):
Ọgū à dì ìlè This medicine is powerful
ìli
num.
ten
ilìilì
n.
splinter
ìlìlò
n.
weed
ilo
n.
enmity
-dị n’ilo
be enemies
Fâ dì n’ilo They are enemies:
Mụ nà Òbi dì n’ilo Obi and myself are enemies
onye ilō
enemy; person bearing malice towards one
ìlo
n.
outside; compound outside walls (= èzi amā, contrast mbala
ēzi); area in village not occupied by houses (includes but is
wider than èzi)
-bọ ìlo
clear the village square
èzi īlo
precincts of a house
n’ìlo
outside; without
okpolo īlo
road, street (esp. in town)
-pù ìlo
go out; go for a stroll
-pù n’ìlo
go outside (and stay)
ìlòlò 1.
n.
deep thought (on a problem)
-lo ìlìlò, ìlòlò
think
òka ìlòlò
adviser; counsellor
ìlòlò 2.
n.
used in:
ọnụ ìlòlò
gutter; drain
imē
n.
A. inside; interior
imelìme
interior; inmost part
imelìme ụnò
an inner room
ime ōbi
name given to interior of the palace where the king mostly
stays
ime ụnò
room
n’imē
A. inside; in; within:
n’ime ụnò
inside the house
B. out of (a number)
B. pregnancy
123
ime òpùpù, òpùpù
miscarriage
imē
afọ imē
pregnancy (lit. pregnant abdomen)
-bu afọ imē
be pregnant (lit. carry pregnant abdomen)
-dị imē
be pregnant:
Ọ dì imē She is pregnant:
Ọ dì ime ọnwa ītọ She is three months pregnant
Proverb: Echî dì imē Nobody knows tomorrow (lit. tomorrow
is pregnant)
-gbakwo imē
abort; miscarry
-gbakwopù imē
abort; miscarry
-ke imē
cause abortion
-me imē
be in labour; travail
nwaànyì imē
pregnant woman
-tụba imē
impregnate:
Ọjì gà-àtụba gī imē ọ bụlụ nà ị kpāchàpùrò anya Ọjị will
get you pregnant if you are not careful
-tụ imē
become pregnant; be pregnant
-tụlụ imē
become pregnant; become pregnant illegitimately and
accidentally (e.g. of girl in school):
Àda m#nō n’ụnò akwụkwọ àkwụsigo akwụkwọ màkà nà ọ
tūlụgo imē My first daughter who has been in school has
stopped schooling because she has become pregnant
(‘illegitimately’ implied)
ìmejū
n.
liver
ìmèliìmè
n.
much; plenty; a large number:
Ìmèliìme mmādù bìàlù ebe à A great crowd of people came
here
imi
n.
nose; mucus (of nose)
imi mpīa
nose partly or wholly destroyed by disease; depressed nostril
-mapù imi
blow the nose
oghele imī
nostril
-su imi
wrinkle nose in direction of person in disdain (usually not
allowing the victim to know, but allowing others around to
know)
-te imi
rub, coat, with mucus
-zì imi
blow the nose
ìmìlìkiti
n.
many
imùlimu
n.
tiny, minute size:
O kpùtè imùlimu ajā He brought some fine sand
inì
n.
grave; burial place (from - bury (corpse)):
O sīgo n’inì kùnie He has risen from the dead
inì ozū
cemetery; burial ground; burial place
124
ìnìnè
n.
green leaf vegetable, 'green amaranth' (Amaranthus hybridus
Linn.
ìnìne mgbolokō
variety of Amaranthus hybridus
ìnìne mmee
wild or green amaranth (Amaranthus lividus Linn. and A.
viridis Linn.)
ìnìnè ogwū
spring or prickly Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus Linn.)
inu 1.
n.
bitterness (of taste)
-nu inu
be bitter:
Ọgwū ǹkaà nà-ènu inū This drug is bitter
inu 2.
n.
proverb; parable; riddle:
Inu bù mmanụ e jì èsuli okwū Proverbs are the oil for eating
speech
-kọwa inu
interpret a proverb or parable
-nù inu
propound riddle, proverb
-tụ inu
speak proverb, parable
ìnyègè
n.
appearance of something not seen clearly, either because of
darkness or dazzling light
-fụ ìnyègè
see faintly
-gbu ìnyège ìnyègè
glisten (as water or glass in sun):
Ọ dì ìnyègè, ogè ọ fùlù ya It was very faint when he saw it
inyègeè
n.
fish (Alestes baremose)
ìnyemè
n.
wives (plural of nwunyè)
-chị ìnyemè
marry a number of wives
inyi
n.
dirt(iness)
-lu inyi
be dirty, filthy:
O lù inyi It is dirty
ìnyo
n.
foolishness
okwu īnyo
foolish talk
ìnyòm
n.
female (opp. of ìkòm)
ndị ìnyòm
women; females
ìpètè
n.
moonfish; a general name for fish of the genus Citharinus
ìpètè arịlị
Citharinus distichoides
ìpètè erìrì
Citharinus latus
ìpo
n.
fish (Alestes nurse)
ìpo ànwàlì (=
fish (Alestes leuciscus and Alestes macrolepidotus)
ànwàlì)
ìpopo
n.
(also ìpopo osisi) sapling (= opòpò)
irò
n.
story told in song; fable
akụkọ irò
fable; myth
iru
n.
A. face; front; forward part
iru akā
fore-arm
iru anyanwū
A. sun
B. sky
125
iru ifelē
modesty; blushing
iru igwē
weather; sky
iru mmà
edge (of a knife)
iru naàbò
hypocrite; hypocrisy (lit. with double face):
Nwokē afù bù onye iru naàbò That man is a hypocrite
iru nà àzụ
backwards and forwards; up and down; to and fro
iru nà iru
face to face
iru ọcha
cheerfulness;
Ọ bù mmadù iru ọcha He is a cheerful person
iru ọjọō
bad omen
iru ọma
favour; goodness; good omen
-bo iru
stare at
-chagha(lị) iru
sulk
-che iru
be opposite
-chelịta iru
face; direct gaze against, towards
-che n’iru
present; place before
-do iru
face; turn face to incline towards
egedege irū,
forehead
egenege irū
-fo iru
be open, clear, spacious
-gabulu n’iru
go before
-ga n’iru
go forward; go in front; progress; be progressive
ògàniiru
progress
-gò iru
be coy; hesitate to grant a request which one actually wants to
grant
-gbadùba iru
frown, scowl; make sour face; grimace
-gbalù iru
sulk; scowl; lower (of sky)
-gbasà iru
look cheerful; smile
-ghakpù iru
turn upside down; lie face downwards
-je n’iru
go forward; go in front
-kpù iru
upset; overturn; turn upside down
-menye ifele n’iru
abash (lit. bring shame to one's face)
mkpọchi n’iru
anything fastened on forehead or in front
mkpọniiru
anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)
n’iru
forward; before (of place)
n’iru òrà
in public; publicly
ǹkè irū kà
A. that to come is greater
B. personal name
ǹkù irū
forehead
-nye iru
face
obodobo irū
broad face
òdìniiru
that which is to come
B. cult of the face, symbolizing one's commanding personality
126
and influence, symbolized by a wooden chalice
ìrùrù mmanụ
n.
water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes Linn.)
ìse 1.
num.
five
ife īse, ife neesè
five things
ìli nà ìse
fifteen
ìse 2.
int.
So be it! Amen! (Ẹdo (Bini))
isi
n.
head; chief; sense; meaning; issue
isi akā
thumb
isi anwūlù
head of tobacco; bunch of prepared tobacco leaves (usually
black tobacco) containing 5 leaves in one head
isi awelē
good luck
isi awō
grey hair
isi egō
unit of six cowries (= èkpète)
isi ikē
stubbornness; bad luck:
O nwèlù isi ike She has bad luck
isi mbido
beginning:
A mà m isi mbido okwū I know the beginning of the case
isi mmīli
source of a stream or river
isi na ọdù
(lit. head and tail) substance, meaning (esp. of speech)
isi njedebe
end, finish:
Ànyị èlugo n’isi njedebe òbòdò afù We have reached the end
of that town
isi nkwọcha
baldness:
O nwè isi nkwọcha He is bald
Isi Ōji
Africa; Africans; Black race
Ndi Isi Ōji
the Africans
Òbòdò Isi Ōji
Africa
isi okwū
meaning of a word or speech:
Ife o kwùlù enwērọ isi What he said makes no sense
isi ọjọō
bad luck
isi ọma
good luck
isi ōwụwa
headache; fever
isi òzàlà
edge of grassland, wilderness
isi ụkwū
big toe
isi ūtabà
head of tobacco
ajō isi
ill luck
akwụkwọ isī
tax; tax receipt, payment (lit. head-paper)
ànì isī
skull of head
-bìkwàsị aka n’isi
confirm (in church confirmation)
-bù isi
be horrible; be horrified
-bulu n’isi
undertake
-bu n’isi
A. be youthful, in one's prime
B. know by heart
127
-bụgodu isi
be first, in the first place
-bụ isi
be first, in the first place
-cha isi awō
turn grey (of originally black hair)
-dụ isi
swear one's innocence by a deity
ejù isī
top of skull
enwē isi
useless
-fufè isi
shake the head
-gbacha isi
trim the hair (of head)
igwu isī
head-louse
ìchàfù isī
head-tie
-kọcha isi
shave
-kọ isi
shave; barb
-kpàcha isi
crop, barb, shave hair
-kpà isi
plait hair
-kpocha isi
cut hair (of head) very low (lit. gather and remove)
-kwàkọ isi nà isi
set people at loggerheads
-kwe n’isi
nod the head
-me isi ikē
be headstrong
-na akwụkwọ isī
pay tax
ndi isī
chiefs; headmen
nkonko isī
the skull
ntùtù isī
hair of head
-nụpù isī
be disobedient; rebel; revolt
-nwe isi
be reasonable; be successful, fruitful
-nwe isi akwụkwọ
be brainy, brilliant (at studies)
-nwe isi awelē
be lucky; have good luck
-nyà isi
boast
ofili isī
pillow
okpokolo isī
A. skull, cranium
B. (fig.) empty-headedness; foolishness
onye isī
head; chief; champion; leader
onye isi òchịchị
head of state:
Yâ bù onye isi òchịchị ndi Fraǹs He is the Head of State of
France
òsusu isī
lock, coil of hair
òti īsi
headache (lit. head-knocker)
òwu isī
black cotton thread used by women for plaiting the hair
ọkìlị mgbawa īsi
very severe chronic headache (= ọyà isī)
òkọ īsi
barber
òkpụ īsi
A. shaver; barber
B. ringworm of the head (tinea capitis):
Òkpụ īsi adīrọ n’isi m#There is no ringworm on my scalp
òkpụ īsi elī ngo
ringworm of the head (tinea capitis) (lit. barber who receives
128
no pay)
ọyà isī
chronic severe headache (= ọkìlị mgbawa īsi)
-pionye isi
push the head in through small opening
-ra isi
comb (hair of head)
-rube isi
incline the head; obey; submit; be loyal to; give respect to
-sù isi n’ànì
fall headlong; throw oneself headlong
-ti isi
butt, knock with head (like fighting man)
isì
n.
scent; smell
-ma isì
smell
-nụ isì
smell; scent
ìsì
n.
blindness
-kpù ìsì
be blind
ndi ìsì
blind people
-sọ ìsì
walk as though blind
ìsiì
num.
six
isò
n.
pillar of house
ukwù isò
base of a pillar of house; pillar of house
ìtè
n.
pot
ìtè Agbāja
very large pot which can hold some 40 gallons of wine for
feasting
ìtè alūsị
charm for protecting the family, kept inside the shrine
ìtè mmānya
pot for wine
ìtè mmīli
water pot
ìtè ofē
soup pot
ìtè ọkū
lamp (= ùtùkpè)
ibelibe ìtè
potsherd
òsi ìtè
A. cook
B. metal cooking tripod
òkpụ ìtè
potter
-si ìtè
cook; boil
ìteghete
see teghete
ìtènaānị
num.
nine (cf. teghete)
itì
n.
wine from base of crown of nkwụ
ìtì
n.
(slang) novice, beginner (at a game, etc.)
iwe
n.
anger
iwe obì
ill-nature; malice
-chekwa iwe
bear malice
-dị iwe
annoy:
Ife o mèlù dì m iwe What he did annoys me
ife iwē
annoying thing
-kpani iwe
provoke to anger
-kpasu iwe
provoke to anger; annoy
mkpasu iwē
spite; provocation
129
-sù iwe
sulk
-we iwe
be annoyed, angry
-wewụsa iwe
be annoyed, angry against
mwewụsa iwē
anger, vexation (with a person, etc.)
ìwòlò
n.
peeled-off skin, slough, of snake
ìwu
n.
law
akwụkwọ īwu
law book
-dị n’ìwu
be forbidden, illegal, forbidden by law
-mà ìwu
make, enact law
-mebì ìwu
commit crime, offence; break law; sin
-ti ìwu
make, enact law
-wu ìwu
make law
ìyàji
n.
dyed cloth
ìyèli
n.
earring
iyī 1.
n.
A. oath; spirit on which oath is sworn
-do iyī
place object(s) like charm or something obnoxious on
property in the belief that the charm will bring evil on a
person who defies the charm and steals the property; protect
an object by a fetish
-gba iyī
bind with an oath; adjure
-ŋụ iyī
take an oath
òŋụŋụ iyī
oath-taking
B. stone or any other article used in oath-taking
C. swearing at (someone); abuse; insult; curse
-kpò iyī
curse; call on oath; abuse:
Ọ kpò m iyī He abused me
iyī 2.
n.
water springing from rock; spring; stream
agụ iyī
crocodile
-chu iyī
go to a spring or stream to draw water
iyì
n.
loss; waste; destruction
-na n’iyì
be useless:
ọ nà n’iyì
He's no use:
Afịa ọ jè nà n’iyì The trade he did was a loss
izìzì
n.
sharpness, tartness (to taste)
-li izìzì
tickle:
Ọ nà-èli izìzì n’ọnū It is sour to his taste
ìzìzì
n.
the first; the beginning
n’ìzìzì
at first
ǹke ìzìzì
first
izù
n.
week
izù afīa
market week of 4 days
izù ụkà
week of 7 days (i.e. of church)
kwà izù
weekly
130
ǹkwe ìzù
one Igbo week; period of 4 days
afịa nkwe ìzù
weekly market (Igbo week)
ìzù
n.
meeting; council; consultation; plot
ìzu nzuzo
secret plot
-gba ìzù
take counsel together; whisper:
Kà ànyị je gba ìzù Let us go and have a consultation
-gbakpò ìzù
plot secretly against someone
-gbakpọ ìzù
consult well about a matter
-kpọ ìzù
call a meeting
ị, i
pron.
(dependent, 2nd person singular; harmonizes with following
vowel if subject, and with preceding vowel if object or
possessive); you (singular); your (singular:
Ì jèkò èbeē? Where are you going?
Ì pùtago ūla
Good morning (lit. have you come out of the sleeping-room?:
Kèdu kà i mèlù?
How are you?:
Afùlù m
I saw you:
ụnò ị
your house:
ǹkè i
yours
ị-, i-
pref.
(harmonizes with vowel of verb root) (marks infinitive):
ijē
to go:
ịbà
to enter
ịbà
n.
fever (general term, cf. akòm)
ịbà mmānụ
jaundice accompanied by pronounced coloration of the eye-
balls, fingernails and sometimes skin
ịbā ògùlù
jaundice
ịbà ojiī
malaria; jaundice without yellow coloration of eyeballs and
fingernails
ịbà ọcha
yellow jaundice (= ịbà mmānụ)
ịbà ukwù anyā
hepatitis
ìba
n.
branch (cf. anakā)
ìbà 1.
n.
ancestral house, typical of Onitsha and corresponding to the
òbi of other areas. It is constructed around a rectangular open-
air courtyard, one end of which leads to the ùkpò or throne of
the household head and the other to the entrance, beyond
which is an open meeting-place (ọnụ ìbà). All rooms are
within coursed mud walls (Henderson 1972: 167)
àda ìbà
A. daughter of the family
B. female name
ìbà 2.
n.
unpounded garri
131
ìbùọ, ìbùa, àbùa
num.
(counting form); naàbò (qualifying form) two
èfifìè naàbò, efìfìè
noonday
naàbò
ètitì naàbò
the middle, centre
ibe naàbò
two pieces
iru naàbò
hypocrite; hypocrisy (lit. with double face)
-kwu ọnụ naàbò
speak hypocritically
mmaji naàbò
two-fold
ǹke àbùa, ìbùọ
second
ọgụ ìbùa, àbùa
forty
òkàla naàbò
two halves
ùgbòlò naàbò
twice; two times
ụmù naàbò
twins
ìchàfù
n.
headtie; handkerchief
ìchàfù isī
headtie
-sùlụ ìchàfù n’isi
put on headtie
ịchō
n.
the board game, mancala, warri, game like Yoruba ayo:
Kà ànyị sụa ịchō Let's play ịchō (cf. ǹchòkòtò)
ịfe
see ife
ịfelē
see ifelē
ịfùlịfū
n.
scrap; morsel
ịfùlụfū àgwà
pod of beans
ịfùlìfù, ọfùlìfǔ
n.
"up-wine" from crown of oil-palm
ịfūnàanya
n.
love; liking; fondness (see -fụ 1.)
ịgà
n.
fetters; handcuffs
-kù ịgà
put in fetters; handcuff
ìgọlọ
n.
shin
ìgbà 1.
n.
drum (general name)
ìgba ègèdè
drum in pairs, used by dibìà
ìgbà ijelè
drum or music for the ijelè masquerade
ìgbà ogwè
tall standing drum used to play abìà music
ìgbà 2.
n.
used in:
ìgbà akā
an arm-band of skin worn on the upper arm at funerals; a
similar arm-band, but made of iron, used as a charm against
bullets
ìgbàdikē
n.
type of dance with masquerade
ịjaàrì
n.
a general name for fish of the family Schilbeidae (= ideèlè)
ìkòlịìkò
n.
used in:
onye ìkòlịìkò
one melancholy or slightly mad
ìkpa
n.
rascality:
Ọ nà-ème īkpa He is a born rascal
ìkpà
n.
used in:
-ti ìkpà
box; strike with fist
132
ịkpàkele
n.
ground corn mixed with oil condiments, and fried
ịkpàkpaà
n.
a food produced from maize
ìkpata
n.
used in:
ìkpata ụkwū
hoof
ìnọ, ànọ
num.
(counting form); naanō, naanò (qualifying form) four
ife naanō
four things
ọgụ īnọ
eighty
ìnyàǹga
n.
parade; bluff; showing-off
ìnyìnyà, ànyìnyà
n.
horse
ìnyìnyà ibū
ass
ìŋàrịì
n.
millet:
Ìŋàrịì bù nwannē mkpụlụ ajā Millet grains are as small as a
grain of sand
ìsaà, àsaà
num.
seven (counting form); naasāà (qualifying form):
Chìtalụ m#òlòma naasāà Bring me seven oranges
ǹke īsaà
the seventh; seventh:
Ànyị gà-àna ụnò n’ọnwa ǹke īsaà We shall go home in the
seventh month
ọnwa īsaà
seven months; seventh month (July):
Ọ gà-àbịa n’ọnwa īsaà He will come in the seventh month
ìsatō, àsatō
num.
eight, eighth (counting form); naasātọ (qualifying form):
Ọ dì ji naasātọ n’ime ǹkàtà There are eight yams in the
basket
ǹke īsatọ
the eighth:
Èjìmâ bù onye ǹke īsatọ Ejima is the eighth person, or Ejima
is in the eighth position
ọnwa āsatọ
eighth month:
Ọ nwùlù n’ọnwa āsatọ He died in the eighth month
ìsha
n.
shrimp; crayfish
ịta
n.
used in:
-ta ịta
win stakes in a game
ịtà
n.
act of pointing out guilty person by native doctor
-tà ịtà
bear witness (usu. of native doctor pointing out guilty person)
onye ịtà
someone who gives evidence of harm done by sorcery
ìtàlì
n.
cane (for thrashing)
-pịa ìtàlì
flog with whip; whip; chastise
ìtọ
num.
three (counting form)
naātọ
(normal qualifying form)
ndùdùgandū ǹke
third generation
ītọ
ìwàlàgàdà
n.
used in:
ìwàlàgàdà ụkwū
disease around groin
ìyaà, ìyaa
int.
exclamation of assent or pleasure; very good! excellent! fine!
133
J.
-ja +
v.:
-ja ike
praise
v.
cut:
Òkeēke wèe jàa onye orī mmà Then Okeeke cut the thief
with a matchet
-je 1.
v.
go; walk
òjije
going; walking
-je agha
go to war; be recruited into army
-jechi anya
be punctual
-jedebe
stop walking; end a journey
njedebe
end; finish; terminus
isi njedebe
end; finish
-jedèbe
go near
-jedide
keep going on
-jefù
go astray; err; get lost when walking, travelling
-jegbu
denounce; betray
-jeghalị
walk about
-je ijè
walk; go on a journey
-jekọ
meet; encounter; walk together
-jekwudo
catch up and overtake
-jekwulu
go to someone
-jelu
reach, go up to (a particular point, place)
-jemì
go far in
-je n’iru
go forward; go in front
-je ozi
go with a message; serve; do housework
-je òfụma
go well
-je ọkù
go fishing
-jerube
go round
-jerụka
go aside; go a little way
jè si ikē
salutation to one starting on a journey
-jesò
follow; follow after
-jeta
gain:
O jètà ife He gained something
-jetè aka
go far away
-jezù
go all over; go throughout
-gba ǹje
run to and from; be going to and from a place (including the
world of spirits)
njefìè
error; trespass
ǹm
travelling; travel
134
ǹǹ
travel; walking about
òjije
outwards (of a journey)
-je + 2.
v.
wear
-jelụ akwà
put on clothes; gird
-jepù
untie (wrapper)
ji 1.
n.
yam (Dioscorea spp. Linn.)
ji àbànà
wateryam (Dioscorea alata Linn.)
ji ābị
(Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.) yam cultivar which never
grows to a very great size, of inferior quality
ji nwa nnùnù
sweet potato
ji okō
plantain
ji òkù
a variety of Yellow Guinea Yam (cf. ji òyìbò)
ji òyìbè, òyìbò
Yellow Guinea Yam (Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.)
ji ọfụū
new yam
ji ukòm
White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea cayenensis rotundata Poir.),
fat and of high quality; features in feasts
akpū ji, akpǔ jī
second yam for re-planting
di jī
farmer; one who successfully cultivates much ground
-fụ ji
peel yam (usually cooked one)
-gba ji
train yams along short sticks
-ke ome jī
break off premature yam shoots
-kpacha ji
scrape yam (usu. roasted one)
-kpà ji
stack yams (in the barn)
-kwacha ji
cut off roots of yam
mkpụlū jī
small yam (see mkpụlù)
ogè ịwā ji
annual yam festival
ọdū jī
tail end of yam
-sụ ji
pound yam
-tù ji
dig up yams for storing
ùfìè ji ọkū
sacrifice, feast before eating new yams (cf. Ìfèjiọkū)
ùkpa jī
basketful of yam
-wa ji
hold annual religious New Yam Festival
òwụwa jī (cf. ịwā
New Yam Festival
ji)
-ji 2.
v.
break; snap:
Mkpọ afù èjigo
The walking-stick has broken
òjiji
breaking; snapping
-ji + 3.
v.
A. be dark (of day)
(chi) -jibìdo
benighted:
Chî jibìdòlù ànyị n’ụzò We were benighted on the way
-jimì
be very dark
Chi èjimìgo
It is the dead of night (cf. Chi èjigo Night has fallen (about 8 -
10 p.m.))
135
B. be black, dark (of colour)
-ji eji
be ripe (esp. of ùbe)
-ji ǹji
be black, dark
-ji oji
be black, dark-coloured
ife nsiji
dye
-ji + 4.
v.
dress
-ji ejiji
adorn; dress; equip
-jikwa
dress properly; get ready
-jì
v.
take; hold; use
-jì aka
expect; hope; be confident:
Ejì m aka nà ị gà-àbịa I hope you will come
-jìde
hold; grasp
-jìkelụ
prepare; make ready
-jìkọ aka
join hands in marriage
-jìkọta
join together
njìkọ(ta)
joining together
-jìkọta ọnū
A. join together
B. maintain discipline
-jì nchèkwube
have confidence; be confident; hope
-jì òfọ
be in the right; be innocent
-jì ọsọ
rush:
Ejì m ọsọ wèe bịa ebe à I rushed to get here
-jìpù aka
be disappointed:
O jipù m aka I was badly disappointed
-jì ụgwō
owe; be in debt
ya kà
for that reason; so; therefore:
Adâ kwùlù ezi okwū ya kà m jì gbaghàlụ yā Ada spoke the
truth, that is why I forgave her
-ji-de
see -gi-do
-jìgìda
n.
beads worn round waist by women for ornament (H. jìgìdaa)
-jì-jè
v.
mimic; mock (= -zì-zò)
njijè
mimicry; mockery
-jọ + 1.
v.:
-jọ njọ
be bad, wicked, evil, ugly; refuse to share (esp. food):
Nwatā à àna àjọka njō This child always refuses to share his
food
-jọ 2.
v.
fear
-jọ ụjō
fear; be afraid; be cowardly, timid (less common than -tụ
egwù)
-jọ ụjọ akwụkwọ
play truant:
Onye nkuzi àyị jòlù ụjọ akwụkwọ n’ogè ọ dì nà nwatà Our
teacher played truant when he was a child
-ju
v.
be full; fill
136
òjuju
being full
-ju afọ
be satisfied, satisfy:
Okwu à ejūrọ m afọ I am not satisfied with this case
(statement)
-ju aka
be plentiful
-ju anya
surprise; be admired; astonish:
O jù m anya It astonished me
-ju eju
fill; be full:
O jù èju It is full:
Chùjue ìtè afù Fill that pot with water
-jupùta
be full (up)
-jupùta n’ọnū
be full to the brim:
Ìtè afù jupùtàlù n’ọnū The pot is full to the brim
-jụ 1.
v.
ask
òjụjụ
asking
-jụ ajùjụ
ask question
-jụ àsè, èsè
inquire, ask about:
Ajù m àsè i I asked about you
-jụ òrà
ask after welfare:
Anà m àjụ màkà òrà I'm asking about the welfare of the
people
-jụpùta
ascertain; find out
ajùjụ
a question
-jụ 2.
v.
refuse; reject:
Ọ jūgo ndi enyì ya He has given up his friends
òjụjụ
refusing; rejecting
-jụ àjụ
refuse:
Ajù m fà àjụ I refused them
-jụ + 3.
v.
be cool, calm
-jụ àrụ
purify by sacrifice
-jụnata
become cool (e.g. of food)
-jụ oyī
be cold, cheerless, miserable, deserted, disheartened:
Àrụ jùlù ya oyī
He is cold, miserable
-jù + 1.
v.:
-jù àrụ
propitiate a deity for a broken taboo
-jù + 2.
v.:
-jù ọnū
draw out someone for information
jùù
n.
quiet
-dị jùù
be quiet, calm:
Ebe à dì jùù This place is calm:
Ogè ọ bàtàlù ebe niīne dì jùù When he entered, every place
was quiet
137
K.
-ka 1.
v.
surpass; exceed; be more than; be superior to:
Ìnọ kà ìtọ Four is more than three:
Ọ kà m n’ọkwa He is senior to me:
Ọ kà m ogonogo He is taller than me:
Uchè ya kà afò ya He is advanced (in intelligence) for his age
òkịka
surpassing; being bigger than
-ka aka
be greater, stronger (than)
-kachasị
surpass entirely; be pre-eminent
-kalị
be more (than); surpass; excell
-ka mmā
be better than:
Ùdo kà agha mmā Peace is better than war:
Ọnwụ kà ife ifelē mmā Death is better than dishonour
-kasị
be greatest
-kasị akasị
be pre-eminent
aka ịkā aka
be stronger than (lit. hand to be greater than hand)
-ka 2.
v.
be hard, strong, firm, dry, mature, ripe (in firmness; contrast)
-cha
be ripe as shown by change of colour) (of yam, cassava, corn,
coconut); (fig.) be bold, brave, determined
-ka aka
be hard, ripe, firm
-ka anya
be bold, confident
-ka àrụ
be strong, fearless, headstrong
-kaba àrụ
try hard; strive
-kachi ntì
be stubborn, wilful, disobedient
-ka obì
be bold, brave, determined:
Ọ bù sòọsò ndi kālụ obì nà-èje ebe a nà-enì ozū n’anyàsì
Only bold people visit the cemetery at night:
Ọ bụlụ nà ọ kaa gī obì, sòlụ fā jèbe If you are determined,
go with them
-kasì obì
comfort (usually a bereaved person)
nkasì obì
comfort; consolation
-kata àrụ
be headstrong
-ka 3.
v.
be old, worn out, torn, rent, tattered; hence, apart, asunder (as
result of tearing or cutting)
-ka nka
tear; decay; grow old; wear out:
ụnò kalụ nka
thatched house which is leaking as a result of the mats being
spoilt:
Nnā Īlo àkago nkā Ilo's father has grown old
-kakpọ
wear thin (of cloth)
-bèka
cut asunder
-bìka
cut asunder
138
-dọka
be torn (by pulling); tear
-sèka
tear by pulling
-sèkapù
break off by pulling:
Ọ chò isēkàpù òfu aka ewī She wants to tear off one foreleg
of the giant rat
-sèkasị
tear off into pieces
-taka
spoil by biting (as of ants or termites destroying articles of
(clothing):
Àkịkà àtakago àfè m zùtàlù ǹnyàafù The termites have
destroyed the garment I bought yesterday
-ka 4.
v.
be stupid, foolish
-kaghè
talk, act foolishly
-kakwù
be stupid, foolish:
Ị nà-àkakwū akakwù You are being stupid
nkakwù
stupidity; foolishness
-ka + 5.
v.:
-ka(ta) àrụ
be of age, full-grown, developed
-kanite àrụ
increase in stature; be mature
-ka 6.
aux. v.
marks the negative perfect and the unfulfilled verb forms:
Chikē akà ègorọ jī Chike has not bought yams (negative
perfect):
Chikē àka na-ègo jī Chike should (habitually) be buying
yams (but he is not doing so) (unfulfilled):
Mmilī àka èzògo Rain should have fallen (but it didn’t)
1.
conj.
that; as; as if to say; when; while; like:
Kà azị What then?
Kà m je Let me go
Kà chi fo
goodnight (lit. let the day break)
Kà (chi) bòọ
goodnight (this is used as a reply to kà chi fo):
kà...kà
both…and:
kà nwokē kà
both men and women (= ...)
nwaànyì
Ǹgwụlō kà ị bù You are a powerless person (incapable of
doing anything):
Nwokē afù bìàlù kà m nà-èsi nnī The man came when I was
cooking:
Ò gịnī kà ị nà-èle? What is it that you are selling?
kà ò bù
or; nor
kà o si nà dị
nevertheless; yet; notwithstanding
all; as many as; as much as; every single one; entirely:
Onye nkụzî pìàgbàdòlù ụmù akwụkwọ yā ìtàlì, kà fa niīne
The teacher flogged all his pupils, every single one of
them:
139
Achòlù m ịfū ndị egwū niīne kà fa rà I want to see all the
dancers (none to be left out)
Achòlù m kà ànyị rà je I want all of us to go
wèe
in order that; so that:
Dètalụ m#akwụkwọ kà m wèe malụ nà ị nālugo Write to me
so that I may know you have arrived
kèemesịa
goodbye (lit. let it be till then)
kòọ (= kà ọ) dì
the present:
nwọò
etu m dì kà m dì nwọò in my present (great) position
ya kà
for that reason; so; therefore:
Èkê dì mkpụmkpụ ya kà e jì jụ iwè yà n’ọlụ àfè ojiī Eke is
short; that is why he was not recruited into the police
-kà 2.
v.
guess
-kà àkà
guess
-kàfìè
guess wrongly
-kàta
guess correctly
-kà 3.
v.
(make a) mark; fix; appoint
òkìkà
ceremony
òkìkà manya
ceremonial drinking
-kà àgbà
make arrangement (for meeting)
-kà akàlà
draw a line, mark
-kàcha
erase; cancel
-kàchapù
cancel out
-kàgha
fix again; adjourn; postpone
-kàghalị
re-fix; postpone
-kà nzū
mark with chalk on ground
-kànye
vaccinate; inoculate
-kà 4.
v.
speak; say
-kà ụkà
hold divine service; converse; quarrel
-kà 5.
v.
afflict; torment; worry:
Akwa ọ nà-èbe nà-akā m#arụ Her crying is worrying me (i.e.
making me uncomfortable)
kaì!
int.
my word! goodness! (= paì!)
kalama, kalamam
n.
bottle
kamà
conj.
rather than; lest; but rather (after negative); instead of; even if
(cf. tụmà):
Kamà m gà-ème ife à m nwụa I would rather die than do
this:
Agà m èje òkìkà afù kamà àgarō m èli ife ọbụnà I shall
attend the party, but I shall not take anything:
Bàa n’ime ụnò kamà ị kwūlụ nà mmīli Enter the house
instead of standing in the rain:
140
Ànyị gà-àbịa, kamà ànyị àghàlụ ilī ife We shall come even
if we do not eat (there)/We must come, even if it means
missing our food
-kàta
ext. suff. 4.
so much...that; to such an extent...that:
Aŋūkàtà m mmanya n’ebe ànyị jè àgbàmakwụkwọ
ǹnyàafù ò fọ nwantịntị afọ m#gbawaa I drank so much at a
wedding yesterday that I almost burst:
Ọ bụlụ nà òdìbò gî nwè ntì ikē i kwukàta okwū ìke agwụ gī
If your servant is stubborn you will be worn out with talking:
O kwūkàtàlù okwu àkpịlī gùa yā He talked so much that he
became hoarse
-ke 1.
v.
tie
òkike
tying
-ke agbụ
bind
-kebe
get ready
-kedo
prepare; tie on with rope:
O jì ùdò wèe kedo jī He used a rope to tie up the yams (cf. -
fiedo)
Kèdo akpàtì afù n’enu motò Tie that box on the car
-kedosi ike
tighten
-ke ekike
dress; adorn:
O kèlù ekike ndi aghā He is dressed as a soldier
-ke imē
cause abortion
-kekọta
join together
-kekù
coil; coiling
nkekù
coil; coiling
-kekpù
tie in a knot
-kekwa
re-tie
-kelụ
prepare
-ke ome jī
break off premature yam shoots
-ke ọbā
bind yams in barn
-kesi ike
tie strongly
-ke ùdò
tie with rope, cord, etc.
anwụlū, ùtabā
tied or rolled tobacco; bits of such tobacco retailed in small
èkèlèke
amounts
-ke 2.
v.
shine; glitter
Ọkụ dī n’ụnò enū nà-èke kà kpakpaǹThe lantern in the
storey house is glittering like a star:
Òkwutē afù nà-ègbuke kà goòlù The stone is glittering like
gold
-kè 1.
v.
share; divide
òkìkè
sharing; dividing
-kè ekpē
make a will
141
-kè ikpe
give judgement
-kè ìbùọ
divide into two; bisect
-kèji
divide into two
nkèji
division; division into two halves
nkèji ụkwū
ankle
-kèlụ
take one's share
-kèlụ okè, òkè
take a share
-kèmù
divide into small pieces
-kènye
give a share
-kè okwu
give judgement; settle a dispute
-kèpù
divide out; separate from
-kèrà
divide equally
nkerà
division; sharing into equal parts
-kèsà
distribute; divide among
-kèta
take a share; inherit:
Ekètàlù mụ òfu ànì obì mgbè nna āyị nwùlù I inherited a
plot of land when our father died
nkèta
sharing; inheritance
ife nkèta
inheritance
onye nkèta
inheritor
-kèta òkè
take a share (and bring back)
-kèwa
divide off; separate
-kèwalụ
secede
-kèwapù
separate from
-kèwò
deny a person a share
-kè (èkè) 2.
v.
create
òkìkè
creating; creation:
Chukwû kèlù ùwà God created the world
-kè- 3.
v.
give (daughter) in marriage; betroth
-kèbe
betroth:
Ọ kèbè m àda yā He betrothed his daughter to me, or He
gave me his first daughter in marriage
-kèli
A. betroth daughter to a man irregularly by going to bargain
with him instead of waiting until the girl is asked for
B. give (daughter) in marriage
kèdu, kèdụ
int.
how? which?
Kèdụ kà i mèlù? How are you?
kèdụ azị
how then?
kèdụ ebe?
where?
kèdụ èkpè?
when?
kèdụ ife?
what? which thing?
kèdụ mgbè?
when? (lit. which time?)
kèdụ ǹ
which?
142
kèdụ ogè?
when? (lit. which time?)
kèdụ onye?
who? which person?
kèdụ uchè i?
what is your opinion?
kèdu zi, kèe zi
how then?
-kè-ne
v.
greet; thank
-kè-ta
ext. suff. 1.
near(er)
-jekèta
go near, nearer:
Jekèta yā nso Go near him
-kpụkèta
draw near, nearer:
Kpụkèta akpàtì afù Go up to that box, or, Draw that box
nearer
-kì-li
v.
look at; gaze at; witness; watch
-kì-li
ext. suff. 1.
about; up and down (always with -gba)
-gbakìli ànì go about; go or move about hesitantly, worriedly,
at random:
Motō ì kà esò je afīa enupùgo ebe ị nà-àgbakìli ànì The
lorry you were to have taken to the market has left while you
were busy fussing about
kịlịkịlị
n.
tiny size:
Ọ kùtà ụmù kịlịkịlị azù He caught tiny fish
-dị kịlịkịlị
be very tiny, small:
Achòlù m àgwa dī kịlịkịlị I want small beans
egō kịlịkịlị
coins
kìlịkìlịkìlị
int.
word used by children when trying to count stars at night;
each number is preceded by this word, and they try to count as
far as possible on one breath
kịtāà
n.
now
azì kịtāà
youth of nowadays
kịtịkpā
n.
smallpox
-ko 1.
v.
A. hang
-kobe
hang something on; spread out to dry; confer, bestow
-kobe èbùbè
honour (lit. "hang honour on")
-kokwàsị
hang upon (as a snake)
-kokwàsị akwà
wrap a cloth about the body
-kolu
remove from where hanging:
Kòlu yā ebe à Remove it from here (where you left it
hanging)
-kopù
remove from where hanging:
Kopù ya ebe à Remove it from here (where it is wrongly
hanging)
B. be arrested and suspended in fall
-ko 2.
v.
used in:
-kolu
prepare
143
-koni
start; set out
-kò + 1.
v.
swell; distend; bulge
òkùkò
swelling; distending; bulging
-kò afọ
distend abdomen;
Nni ǹkaà nà-ekò afō This food is stodgy
-kò èkò
A. writhe; bubble; froth; ferment
B. distend; swell; bulge
-kò ònùmà
be angry; swell with anger
-kò ukò
put on airs; show off; be lavish in hospitality; puff oneself up
-kò 2.
v.
hook; take with a hook
-kòdo
catch; entangle; be entangled
-kò èkò
creep; climb (of plants)
-kòni enū
hang up (on hook)
-kò okwu
(fig.) cause trouble; invite quarrel, dispute (usually
deliberately); assault
kòso
see òkòso
-kọ 1.
v.
tell; relate; guess
òkụkọ
telling, relating; guessing
-kọ akụkọ
tell a story; give news
-kọcha
defame; revile; curse (= -kọ ọnū)
nkọcha
defamation; reviling; curse
-kọ ọnụ
quarrel; abuse; revile (= -kọcha)
Àda nà Ǹkwọọma nà-àkọ ọnū Ada and Nkwọọma are
quarrelling:
Àdâ jì nnwa Ǹkwọọma āmụtārọ àkọ yā ọnụ; o lofùgo nà ọ
bù Chukwu nà-ezìta nwā Ada has been taunting Nkwọọma
with her childlessness; she has forgotton it is God who sends
children
-kọsà
reveal; declare:
Ọ kōsàgo ife m gwàlù ya He has revealed what I told him
-kọwa
explain; introduce:
Kòwalụ m#ọnye ọ bù Introduce him to me
-kọwa inu
interpret a proverb or parable
-kọwa òdìnàànì
explain and set up new codes of ritual and political behaviour
(esp. of Nri man)
-kọ + 2.
v.
scratch
-kọcha isi
shave head
-kọfịa
rub skin off hand
-kọ isi
shave head; barb
òkọ īsi
barber
-kọ ọkọ
scratch; itch
-kọ 3.
v.
be dry
-kọ akọ
dry
144
mgbè ọkōchì
dry season
-kọ 4.
v.
be scarce, no longer obtainable:
Ego kòlù m I am short of money
-kọ ùkọ
be scarce
-kọ + 5.
v.:
-kọ nsi, -kọ ọgwù
practise sorcery against
-kọ 6.
ext. suff. 1.
together (in company with); joining (cf. -, where
convergence, sometimes to the point of deformity, is stressed)
-dụkọ
sew together
-gakọ
bring together with thread (e.g. beads):
Ọ nà-àgakọ jìgìda She is threading the waistbeads together:
Ànyị nà-àchọ ịgbākọ mmilī màkà echi We want to draw
water into a large container for tomorrow (lit. fetch water
together)
-jekọ
meet, walk together
-kọ 7.
ext. suff. 1
all; altogether
-chịkọta
gather and bring a whole number
-gokọlụ
buy all
-kpọkọlụ
dry up completely
-kọ 8.
infl. suff.
present action; en route to:
Ejèkò m afịa I'm going to market
-kò 1.
v.
plant (tubers)
-kò ugbō
make a farm
-kò 2.
ext. suff. 1.
together (i.e. converging) (cf. -kọ, where unity is stressed):
Ọ nyākòlù mkpọ igwè m He bent my steel walking stick:
Ọ nyākòlù ìko m#He pressed the edges of my cup together
-gbakòba
come together:
Ndi mmādù àgbakòbago The people have come together
-nọkòba
sit together:
Achò m kà ụnù nọkòba ọnū I want you to sit together
-tụkòba
heap together
kọbò, kọpò, kobo
n.
penny (E. copper)
kọmkọm
n.
an old type of money
kòọ dì nwọò
see
kọtùma
n.
court messenger (E.)
ndị kọtùma
court messengers
Kraìst
n.
Christ
onye òtuū Kraìst
a Christian
òtuū Kraìst
Christianity
-ku + 1.
v.
scoop up and carry liquid
-ku eku
scoop; ladle
-ku mmilī
scoop water out of a vessel
-kunye mmilī
bring water:
145
Kùnye m#mmilī Give me water
-ku ofe
scoop up soup
-kute mmilī
fetch water in a vessel
-ku 2.
see -kwu 3.
-kù 1.
v.
blow (of wind); fan; breathe
òkùkù
blowing; fanning; breathing
-kù àkùpè
fan
-kùdebe ume
stop breathing
-kùfè
moving rapidly past, creating a current of air
-kùfè èkufè
pass away; blow over as the wind
-kù n’anya n’anya
pant:
Ọ gbàlù ọsọ, wèe na-ekù n’anya n’anya He ran and started
panting
-kùpù ume
faint; be faint
-kù ume
breathe
-kùbì ume
cease to breathe; die
ǹ
wing
òkùkù ume
lung (human)
-kù- 2.
v.
carry
-kùbàta
bring in (esp. of small child)
Kubàta nnwa n’ụnò Bring the child into the house
-kùchi nwunyè
take the wife of a dead relation
-kùdà
bring down
-kù n’aka
nurse; hold in the arms
-kùni
lift up; rise; get up:
O kùnigo! He is risen:
Ọ nà-èje ikùnì nwa dālụ adà She is going to pick up the
child who has fallen down
-kù n’obì
hold at the breast; carry in the bosom
-kupùte, -kupùta
present child at naming ceremony
-kù 3.
v.
call (cf. -kpọ)
-kù mmụō
invite masquerader to a place (e.g. funeral)
-tikù
call upon
kukuǹdùku
n.
sweet potato
-ku-zi
v.
teach
nkuzi
teaching
onye nkuzi
teacher; instructor
òzùzù nkuzi
teacher training
-kụ 1.
v.
plant (seeds)
òkụkụ
planting; time for planting:
Agà m àbịa n’òkụkụ ọkà I shall come during the maize-
planting season
-kụ ọkà
plant maize
146
ife ōkụkụ
anything to be planted
-kụ 2.
v.
knock; strike; ring (a bell)
òkụkụ
knocking; striking; ringing
-kụ aka
clap hands
-kụji
break into parts
-kụkọlịta
collide
nkụkọlịta
collision
-kụkpọ
break; smash (e.g. egg); break down
-kụlì
break into pieces
-kụ mgbịlịgba
ring a bell
-kụ òfọ
knock òfọ on the ground (of a priest in giving judgement)
-kụ òkpọ
knock the head with the knuckles; box
-kụpịa
smash into pieces
-kụpù
knock off
-kụpù aka
fail; give up
-kụsịsị aka
Ife à kùsìsìlì ya aka This thing discouraged him
òkụ òkpòkpò
influenza
-kụ 3.
v.
mix
-kụ mmanya
mix wine
-kụ nsị
mix poison; practise sorcery
-kụ ọgwù
mix medicine
-kụ 4.
v.
ext. suff. 1 upon; to; against
-dàkụlụ
fall against
-takụ
stick to
-kù 1.
v.
hook
-kù azù
catch fish; fish with hook:
Afùlù m ndi nā-akù azù na mmili Ōbosi I saw some people
fishing in Obosi river, or I saw some fishermen in Obosi river
-kù ịgà
put in fetters; handcuff
-kù ǹgwụlō
sit cross-legged
azū mgbaàkùlù dried fish which is rolled up with a stick
through it:
Nwannē m nwaànyì nà-èle azū mgbaàkùlù My sister sells
mgbaàkùlù fish
-kù 2.
v.
bring into use, esp. for food production; cultivate land; tend
livestock
-kù nni
supply with food; cultivate:
Ò gịnī kà ị nà-èje imē n’ubì n’ùtụtū à? Anà m èje ịkù nni
What are you going to do in the farm this morning? I am
going to cultivate some crops
-kù ọkù
tend, keep livestock:
Ịkù ọkù bù ezigbọ ọlū Keeping livestock is a good hobby
-kù + 3.
v.:
147
-kù àkùkù
use slang word
-kù 4.
ext. suff. 1
used in:
-gbakùta àzụ
turn the back on
-makù
press to one's body; embrace
-makùta
embrace completely
-kụ-ja
v.
start; be startled
nkụjà
a start, shock
-kụ-ta
ext. suff. (= -kụ 4.
completely
(?) + -ta 5. D.)
-gbakụta
contest all
-kwukụta
say all
-makụta
know all
-nụkụta
hear all
-sàkụta
reply to all
KP.
-kpa 1.
v.
move with an instrument; propel; hence, in a more abstract
sense, cause
òkpụkpa
propelling
-kpa aka ànì
be mischievous; play tricks
-kpa akpa
pick with an instrument
-kpa amụ
cause laughter:
Ọ kpàlù amụ He made a joke:
O jì m àkpa amụ He’s making fun of me
-kpa bọòlù
dribble a ball
-kpacha
scrape (e.g. roasted yam); make neat
-kpacha anya
do something purposely
-kpacha ji
scrape yam
-kpachalụ anya
be careful, warned, cautious; beware; take heed (clear the
eyes)
-kpachapù = -
kpapù
-kpachapù anya
take care; be careful, vigilant
-kpachapùta
bring out with an instrument; to pick out, expose, bring out by
scraping
-kpalàchi
be spread, strewn upon
-kpani
A. raise, lift up (with instrument)
B. (fig.) stir up; provoke; incite
-kpani iwe
provoke to anger:
Bikō akpānikwona m iwe Please do not anger me
-kpanye
make a small present; give a tip:
gịnị kà ị kpānyelụ nwatā biCalụ kène giC? What did you
give the child who visited you?
-kpa okè
make boundary; move (objects) aside to show demarcation
òkpụkpa ànì
making of boundary
-kpa oke ànì
make boundary between lands
-kpa ọchì
cause laughter:
Ife o kwùlù kpàlù ọchì His remark gave rise to laughter
148
-kpa ọkụ
strike a match; turn on a light
mkpa ọ kụ, mkpa
matches
nókụ
-kpapù
shove off; brush off; set aside (normally with instrument);
pick out (with stick) and remove; push open by force, press
open (e.g. burst door open); push off (e.g. three persons lying
on a bed, one of them being pushed off as a result of the
others being selfish. The pushing is not done by the hand but
by the body):
Bikō, kpapù alịlị afù ìlo Please take that millipede outside;
(fig.) push out (e.g. if one person is forced to leave house
where he was living with others)
-kpasà
scatter (with some care); spread out (e.g. grains in sun, partly
burnt firewood)
-kpasàpù
spread wide open
-kpasu
disturb; trouble; provoke
mkpasu
excitement; provocation
-kpasu iwe
provoke to anger; annoy:
Àsị yā nà-àkpasu m iwe His lies make me angry, or I am
indignant at his lies:
Àda kpàsùlù nne yā iwe Ada annoyed her mother:
ÒC bù gịnị kpàtàlù i jì gbakà iru#n’ùtụtù? Ọ bù Àdâ
kpàsùlù m iwe Why did you frown in the morning? It was
Ada who annoyed me
mkpasu iwe
provocation
-kpata
cause:
Ọ bù gqị kpàtàlù ife e jì pịa m ìtàlì n’ùtụtụ à You were
the cause of my being flogged this morning
-kpatụ
rustle
mkpatụ
rustling
(agwù) -kpa
be mildly mentally deranged
(ala) -kpa
be mad (lit. be moved by madness):
Òòala nà-àkpa ī? Are you mad?
-kpa 2.
v.
A.
gather; search for
-kpa afịfịa
collect herbs
-kpa akụ
A.
search for palm-kernels in the farm (usu. by children):
Ụmù akā èjego ịkpā akụ The children have gone in search of
kernels
mkpa akụ the search for kernels
B.
play a board game like draughts:
Bìa sòlu m kpàa
Come and play a (board) game with me
akụ
-kpakọ
gather; collect
-kpakọbà
gather together into; heap up
-kpakọnye
gather and give or put into
-kpakọta
gather, collect (from different points but same area, e.g. farm)
and bring:
Achòlù m kà ụnù jee kpakọta nkụ I want you (pl.) to go
and fetch firewood
-kpa mkpa
seek diligently; search for carefully e.g. -kpa mkpa akụ
search for palm kernels in the farm (usu. by children)
-kpa nkụ
gather firewood
149
-kpa nni
(of animals) wander about in farm, forest, etc., in search of
food
-kpata
acquire; collect
-kpata àkù
amass wealth
-kpata egō
acquire money
B.
pluck (leaves from plant)
-kpa akwụkwọ
collect, pluck leaves (e.g. as herbalist)
-kpa 3. +
v.
walk; move; (of humans) wander, walk about; (of animals)
wander about
-kpa àgwà
behave (usually in a bad sense)
-kpa àgwà ọjọọ
behave badly
-kpa ajọ ụkpa
make bad or disagreeable friendship (e.g. as when a person is
intimate with another person whose morality and ways are bad
or questionable); walk with criminals or suspects; keep bad
company
-kpabàta
walk, wander in(to)
-kpafù
go astray; stray and get lost
mkpafùli
negligence; going astray
-kpago
walk up; stray up
-kpaghalị
a walk about; stroll; wander about
-kpakọ
walk together (of friends)
mkpakọ
intercourse
-kpakwudo, -
encounter each other suddenly; overtake
kpakwụdo
-kpanarị
forsake; leave behind
-kpa ndu
walk together; be companions; escort
-kpapù
go out for a walk
-kpa ùkpa
be friends, companions
-kpa ùkpa oriì
be friends with a thief or thieves
òkpa nnakā ya,
person who is fond of going alone, who is never found going
òkpa nnịkā ya
anywhere in company of friends; solitary person
ùkpa
a walk; friendship; communion
-kpa 4. +
v.
speak
-kpa aghalā
cause disturbance
-kpa amụ
jest; trifle; amuse
-kpagozi
teach
-kpalị
insult; show disrespect to
mkpalị
an insult
-kpa n gàn gà
joke; be boastful
-kpa nkàta
talk; converse; chat:
Bikō nye mụ nà Ibè efè níme ụnò ụlā màkà nà ànyiCchòlù
ịkpā nkàta nébe afù Please leave the room for Ibe and
myself, for we want to chat there
-kpazi
show; teach; direct
kpa 5. +
v.
A.
buy (oil)
-kpa manụ
buy oil
B.
rub oneself with something greasy
-kpa ùde
rub on pomade, grease, ointment, cream
-kpa 6.
v.
rear (child, animals):
Akpà m mkpà n’aka I am nursing a baby
-kpa ife enunu
keep livestock
-kpa +
7.
v.:
-kpa mkpa
be few; scarce
150
kpakalakpakala
n.
used in:
-me
be cranky and noisy (refers esp. to noise made by an old
kpakalakpakala
bicycle)
-kpà 1.
v.
press together (in order to break or close up)
òkpùkpà
suppression; compression
-kpà àkpà = -kpà
be narrow, tight, pressed together, choked, crowded; restrict;
mkpà
oppress; ill-treat; deny freedom; capture; kidnap:
Fa àkpàlụgo eze ānyị nà mkpà Our chief has been
kidnapped
-kpàchibìdo
lock in or out
-kpàchisị
lock up (many locks, doors, etc.)
-kpàchi(ta)
lock
-kpàdo
pile up; store; board; cover up (lit. press upon)
-kpàfànye
intrude; force in between tight space; insert
A.
-kpàgbu
choke; suffocate
B.
do wrong to; oppress; harass; trouble
mkpàgbu
tribulation; oppression; trouble
-kpàghe
press open; unlock (with key):
Bikō kpàgheelụ m ụzò Please unlock the door for me
-kpàji
break; snap
-kpàjipù
break, snap off
-kpàjirà
break into two equal parts
-kpàjita
break and bring
-kpàkọ
be tight or packed; sit close together so as to leave little or no
space in between
-kpà mkpà = -kpà
àkpà
-kpà ntì
listen carelessly; pretend not to hear; be obstinate (lit. close
ear)
-kpà ọnụ
become, render speechless; be dumbfounded:
Ife Àda mèlù nébe ànyị jèlù kpàlù m ọnụ What Ada did
where we went left me dumbfounded
anya akpà
goggling eyes
(ọnụ ) -kpà
A.
lose appetite:
Ọnụ kpàlù m I have no appetite
B.
be speechless; be unable to speak much, or at all
ọnụ òkpùkpà
speechlessness; exhaustion; utter weariness
-kpà 2.
v.
be needful:
gịnị nà-akpā gị? What are you in need of?
-kpà mkpà
need; have need; be necessary; compel:
Ènyò anyā nà-akpā m mkpà n kè nnukwu#I am seriously
in need of glasses
mkpà
need; necessity
-kpà 3. +
v.
tie permanently; stack; plait; weave
òkpùkpà
plaiting
òkpùkpà isiì
plaiting of hair
-kpà akwà
weave cloth
-kpà isi
plait hair
-kpà ji
stack yams (in the barn)
-kpà n kàtà
make basket
-kpà 4.
v.
trim, cut (hair)
òkpùkpà
trimming; cutting
151
-kpàcha
cut; trim; barb; crop
-kpàcha ajị
crop, shave, cut hair
-kpàcha ajị anụ
crop, shave, cut hair of animal
-kpàcha isi
barb; cut hair
-kpàchapù
crop, cut, trim off
-kpàchasị
cut, shave, etc., entirely
-kpàchasị isi
barb hair of head (less common than -kpàcha isi)
-kpà igwù
prepare palm fronds
kpakpan dò
n.
star
kpakpan do
morning star:
ụ tụtù
Na-àgafè dịkà kpa kpakpan do ụ tụtù Passing away like
the morning star (funeral hymn)
-kpa-kwu
v.
concern oneself with; make friendly advances to; befriend
kpalakwu#kwu
n.
pigeon
kpamkpàm
n.
entirely; completely:
Alụ chago m ọlụ afù kpamkpàm I have finished the work
completely
kpamkpamkpam
n.
sound of knocking
-kpe 1.
v.
report; judge:
O kpèlì m He reported me:
Agà m èkpe giCn’aka nnà gị ukwu I shall report you to your
master
òkpukpe
reporting; judging
-kpe ikpe
judge a case
-kpejide
judge unfairly; make unfair report
mkpejide
injustice
ikpe
case
ndị ikpe
the judges
-kpe 2.
v.
pray; beg:
Kà ànyị kpeelu Chine kè Let us pray (unto God):
O tègo m jì èkpelu yā kà ọ rapụ m I have been begging
him for a long time to leave me alone
-kpe ekpelu, ekpele
say prayer; pray:
Kà ànyị kpee ekpelu Let us pray
-kpe 3.
v.
smear
òkpukpe
smearing
-kpe mmanụ
smear with oil
-kpe +
4.
v.:
-kpe ụgbọ
steer canoe
-kpè +
1.
v.:
-kpè àzụ
be last; bring up the rear
ìkpe āzụ
the last thing:
Ife ìkpe āzụ ị gà-èmê bù ije kute mmiìli dọbe n’ụnò The
final thing you should do is to fetch water and keep it in the
house
oge ìkpe āzụ
the last time; at the end of the time; at the end of the world
ụbòsị ìkpe āzụ
the last day; the day of judgment
-bịakpè àzụ
come last
-kpè 2. +
v.
backbite; slander; speak evil of (esp. indirectly and in the
hearing of the person being slandered)
-kpècha
slander
mkpècha
slandering
-kpè ìkpe
backbite; slander; speak evil of. Much practised by the Egwu
152
Ọjà dancers many years ago. The soloist in the course of her
singing spoke to evil-doers who had been committing evil in
secret, e.g. a thief or people involved in adultery, thereby
bringing their anti-social practices to light
-kpè 3.
v.
scrape
-kpècha
strip off (bark, skin, etc.)
-kpèchalụ
strip and take the bark
-kpèchapù
strip off
-kpèchasị
strip off bark (entirely); pare (everything off)
kpelèkpelè
n.
in circles:
Ọ nà-àgba kpelèkpelè It moves in circles
-kpì +
v.:
-kpì isi
cut hair
-kpìcha isi
cut hair very short
-kpo 1.
v.
gather; collect; pick
òkpukpo
gathering; collecting; picking
-kpo àgbụgbọ
collect decayed compost for application to the crops
-kpocha
A.
clear (rubbish, refuse); rid a place (of rubbish, refuse, filth):
Ànyị nà-àkwadebe iwu#ụnò n’ànì a nà-èkpocha We are
preparing to build a house on the place which is being cleared
B.
purify woman after childbirth
-kpocha isi
be bald:
Nwoke afù kpòchàlù isi That man is bald
-kpochapù
clean away; exterminate
-kpochi onùnù
fill hole
-kpofù
gather and throw away
mkpofù
throwing away
ife mkpofù
offal
-kpoju
fill; gather and fill
-kpokọ
gather together; collect
-kpokò
gather together; collect (in one place) (Emphasizes
togetherness more than -kpokọ)
-kpokọbà (ọnụ )
gather together; collect in one place
-kpokọlụ
gather together and carry away; collect:
Ekpōkọlụgo m òlòma diCnénu tebùlù I have collected
(and taken away) the oranges on the table
-kpo(lụ) ọsọ
rush; run quickly (lit. collect running)
-kponita, -kponite
gather up
-kpopùta
gather out
-kpo uzuzù
gather sand; play in and with sand (of children)
-kpo +
2.
v.:
-kpo lìlìlì
swarm (of bees)
-kpowa
rush away
-kpò 1. +
v.
be hot; smell pleasantly and hot (of well-prepared, spiced
soup, mentholatum, etc.); sting (of pepper); hurt (of sting)
-kpò èkpò = -kpò
-kpo nàlànàlà
be tepid, lukewarm
-kpò òkpoòfùfù
perspire; cause perspiration
-kpò ọkụ
be hot; be lively (of season or place)
-kpò 2.
ext. suff.1
upon
-gbakpò
spread upon
-kwukpò
cover up with words
-yikpò
cover the body with clothes
153
-zàkpò
sweep upon
-kpo-pù
v.
extract
-kpopù eze
extract a tooth
-kpọ 1.
v.
A.
call; invite; summon; name
òkpụkpọ
calling; vocation
-kpọ afà
call by name; name:
Kpòọ onye oriì afà Call the thief by name:
Agà m àkpọ yā afà I shall call him by name
Kpòọ yā afà Name him
-kpọ àghalā, àyalā
be in an uproar:
Àda āna-àkpọka aghalā Ada is very fond of causing an
uproar, or creating a disturbance
-kpọ asì
hate; dislike:
Ịkpọ mmadù ibe ānyị asì bù n jọ Hatred towards our
fellow-men is sin:
Akpòlù m yà asì I hate him, or I dislike him:
Chukwu Nnà, bikō zọpùta ānyị n’aka ndị niiìne nā-akpọ
ānyị asì God the Father, please deliver us from the hands of
all that hate us
-kpọbàta
call in; welcome; admit
-kpọchìgha
call back; recall
-kpọdèbe
call near; bring near
-kpọgopùta
call up and out; escort up and out
-kpọ ìzù
call meeting
-kpọkọlụ
call together and take away (of humans and animals that are
capable of following):
Ọ bụlụ nà ụnù eme chirọ ụzò òfụma nkịtā m gà-abàta
kpọkọlụ ụmù ya If you do not close the door properly my
dog will come in and take away its puppies
-kpọkù
call upon; call to
-kpọlụ
blaspheme
-kpọ mụụ
A.
take mụọ when assuming duties of ọkpala
B.
invite masquerade to a ceremony
-kpọnaba
call home; take home
-kpọ nzùkọ
call meeting
-kpọ òkù
call; call by name
-kpọ òmìmì akwā
sob
-kpọpùta
lead out:
Kpọpùta nwātà afù n’anwụ ọsọọ sọ! Take the child out of
the sun quickly!
-kpọte
arouse; waken
-kpọtụ
A.
call upon
B.
make noise
mkpọtụ
noise; uproar
-kpọwa
pronounce clearly
òkpọ na-àkpọ òkù
echo
-kpọ
B.
lead; take along; go with (all referring to something capable of
self-movement):
Ọ kpò mmadù naàbò He comes with two persons:
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Ònye kà ì gà-àkpọ je egwu? Whom are you taking to the
dance?:
Ọ kpò nkịtā bịa nzùkọ He came to the meeting with a dog
-kpọ 2.
v.
be dry; (of certain fruits) be ripe
òkpụkpọ
drying
-kpọ akpọ
be dry:
Wètalụ m òfu oko ọkā kpọ lụ akpọ Bring me a dry ear of
corn
-kpọ anwụ
wither
mkpọ ānwụ
drought; extended dry season; severe dry season; long period
without rain
-kpọkọlụ
wither; dry up (completely)
-kpọ mbụ = -kpọ
dry (e.g. of leaf)
mgbụ
-kpọ nkụ
be dry
Wètalụ m akwụkwọ kpọ lụ nkụ Bring me a dry leaf:
Ọ bụlụ nà ị ñaa azù ndù afù nókụ ọ gà-àkpọ nkụ ọsọ ọ sọ
If you place that fresh fish over the fire it will get dry quickly
òkpọnkụ
dryness
-kpọnwụ
dry up; shrivel; wither:
Ọ bụlụ nà ị gbārọ òdòdo diCníru iìlo mmiliì ọ gà-àkpọnwụ
If you do not water the flowering plant in front of the house it
will wither
akpịliCịkpọ nkụ
intense thirst
-kpọ 3.
v.
A.
strike; knock; drive nail or stake in
-kpọbè
A.
cut; abrade; stub (toe by knocking it against something)
B.
cut asunder by placing sharp pointed instrument like an anvil
on top and knocking its head with the hammer
kpọbè ụkwụ
knock and cut, hurt, stub the toes
-kpọbo ànì
level ground; break ground
-kpọdo
nail; fasten
-kpọdo n’obe
crucify; nail on cross
-kpọ etùketù
hiccough:
Etùketù nà-àkpọ m I have hiccoughs
-kpọgbu
crucify; kill by nailing
Onye a kpògbùlù
The Crucified
n’obe
-kpọ isi ànì
kneel and touch ground with head in humiliation and entreaty
-kpọji
chop across grain
-kpọmì
knock in (nail, peg, etc.)
-kpọmìna
fasten; knock completely in
-kpọ mkpụkpọ
to drive (a peg into the earth):
Anà m èje ịkpọ mkụkpọ n’okè mụ nà Ịbā I am going to put
pegs along the boundary between Ịba and myself
-kpọ n’ùbu
shrug the shoulders
-kpọnye
nail; drive a peg or skewer
-kpọ òmìmì
dive
-kpọpu
force open; open by perforating with pointed object; break
ground (as shoot)
-kpọ ụkwụ
stub the toes
-kpọwa
split; divide by splitting
-kpọ ụgbà
turn a somersault
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-kpọwa isi
part the hair
-kpọwalụ
rush, run away (permanently; one is less likely to come back
than with -kpọwa, which simply means run away)
B.
take (snuff) (lit. strike in)
-kpọ anwụlù
take snuff
-kpọ ùtabà
take snuff
-kpọ 4. +
v.
suffer blindness (as a result of the destruction of an eye or
both eyes); destruction of an eye or both eyes due to injury,
disease, etc.:
Anya ākpọgo nwoke afụ dālụ enu nkwụ The man who
fell off the palm tree is now blind
anya mkpọ
blindness
-kpọ 5. +
v.
buy, purchase (clothes, pottery)
-kpọta
buy, purchase (clothes, pottery):
Akpòtàlù m akwà ọfụụ I bought a new cloth:
Anà m èje ịkpọ ta ìte ọ zọ I am going to purchase another
pot
-kpọ ute
buy mat
-kpọ 6. +
v.
expose; display
-kpọba afịa
expose, display wares for sale
-kpọ ìfulu#
blossom; flower (cf. -kpọ ìgùgù)
-kpọ ìgùgù
blossom; flower
-kpọ 7. +
v.
clear by setting fire to; burn
-kpọ ànì
clear ground by burning
-kpọcha
clear; clean by burning:
Jèe kwànwue ọkụ a gà-èji kpọcha atụlụ a nà-àkwadebe
igbu#Go and make the fire with which the hair of the sheep
that is about to be slaughtered will be burned off
mkpọcha
burning
-kpọnye ọkụ
build up a fire; set fire to; burn off with fire
Ànyqị chòlù ịkpọ ewu ọkụ We want to burn off (the hair of)
a goat:
`
Anà m èje ịkpọ nye ọkụ a gà-èji mị azù ndù afù I am going
to build up the fire with which the fresh fish will be dried
-kpọ 8.
v.
break (of something fragile, e.g. egg, bladder, eye):
Àkwa ị chòlù isiì àkpọgo The egg you want to boil has
broken:
Ọ fòlù nwantịntị kà o tikpọọ ākwa m nà-àkwadebe isiì He
almost broke the egg I am preparing to cook
-gbakpọ
break (by itself):
Àkwa àgbakpọgo The egg has broken (e.g. while being
boiled)
-kpọlì
grind dry thing (not thoroughly); break into splinters or pieces
mkpọlì
grinding
-kpọ 9. +
v.
rub; pluck off
-kpọ ọkà
remove the grains from the ear of maize
-kpọsị
rub, pluck off grains from cob, etc.
-kpọsị ọkà
rub off grains from cob
-kpọ ùbọ
play musical instrument (sanza, guitar, organ)
-kpọ 10. +
v.
-kpọ aghalā
cause confusion, riot, tumult
-kpọ 11.
ext. suff.1
(fig.) denoting thoroughness arising from repeated action
-gbakpọ ìzù
discuss very thoroughly, again:
Àny!qị gbàkpòlù ìzù àgbakpọ We really had a thorough
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discussion:
Jèe nù gbàkpọ ìzù Go and discuss it again
-kpò 1.
v.
curse; abuse
-kpò iyiì
curse; abuse:
Ìwu nà-akpọ m iyiì Iwu is cursing me
-kpòlị
reproach; abuse
mkpòlị
reproach; abuse
-kpòlụ
abuse; reproach
-kpò 2.
ext. suff. 1
denoting thoroughness, proper performance:
Ji adā èkwe m iliì mà ọ bụlụ nà o ghe kpòrò èghekpò I
can’t eat yam if it is not thoroughly done:
Ọ nà-àgwa i Ada nà nyâ chòlù kà Àda gwekpòọ tanjele ọ
nà-ègwe e gwekpò She is telling Ada to grind the galena
stone that she is grinding very thoroughly
-kpọ-chi
shut; be shut
-kpọchi
shut; lock; turn (key); imprison
mkpọchi
button
-kpọchibìdo
shut out or in:
Ụzò àkpọchìbìdogo m The door has shut against me:
Ị nà-àchọ ịkpọ chìbìdò m ụzò? Are you trying to shut the
door against me? or Are you going to shut the door against
me? or Are you going to lock me out (or in)?
-kpọchi ntì
be deaf, stubborn (lit. close ears to)
mkpòchi n tì
stubbornness; habitual disobedience (usu. of young person)
-kpọchi mmiliì
turn off (i.e. lock, shut) tap
-kpọchita
close; shut
-kpọ-kọ
see
-kpo(-kọ) (result of assimilation)
-kpọ-lè
v.
roll (of objects; cf. -tụlù)
mkpọlè
rolling
-kpọlèdà
roll down
-kpọlèfèga
roll across
-kpọlègota
roll up (of an object that rolls)
-kpọlèpù
roll away, off:
Òlòma naàbò àkpọlèpùgo Two oranges have rolled away
kpọm
n.
used in:
-tụ kpọm
A.
strike a hard surface
B.
drip (= -tụ pọm)
kpọò!
int.
no! (cf. mbà)
-kpu
ext. suff.1
in
-dàkpu
fall in
-nakpu
go in
-kpù 1.
v.
A.
cover; put on, wear (something on head)
òkpùkpù
covering
-kpù akwà
cover the body with cloth
-kpùchi
cover; cover up
-kpùchibìdo
shut in or out; confine by shutting up
-kpùchi ọnụ
hush; shut one’s mouth
-kpùchita
cover up; shut up; shut; cover
-kpùdo
cover; use one thing to cover up another
mkpùdo
covering
-kpù enu ụnò
roof a house
-kpùghe
uncover; reveal
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-kpù mmụọ
put on a mask
-kpù òkpu
put on, wear hat, cap
-kpù òkpu ezè
wear crown
-kpù òkpu ogwu#
wear crown of thorns
-kpùpù
uncover; take off (hat, cap, etc.)
-kpùpù akwà
take off coverlet
-kpùpù òkpu
remove hat, cap, etc.
-sikpù
cover
nsikpù
obscuring (e.g. of sun)
B.
cover, sit on (eggs)
-kpù n’àkwa
sit on eggs; brood:
ÒCkụkò m e bidogo ikpù n’àkwa yā My hen has started to
sit on its eggs
C.
overturn; capsize
-kpù èkpù
capsize; upset; overturn; sink
-kpù iru
upset; overturn; turn upside down:
Ì chòlù ikpù ofe iru#? Do you want to overturn the soup?
-kpù ụgbọ
capsize a boat
D.
be blind
-kpù ìsì
be blind:
Ì kpùlù ìsì? Are you blind?:
onye kpu#lu ìsì
blind person
-kpù 2.
v.
lose flavour; be without flavour and go sour (of ògìlì ofe );
become bad:
Ògìli à kpùlù èkpù This ògìlì is sour
-kpù 3. +
v.
-kpù òkwu
be plentiful (i.e. as common as òkwu in a village)
-kpù-kpù +
v.:
-kpùkpù aka
motion with hands for silence:
O kpukpùlù aka ọgè m nà-àkwadebe ikwu#ife ọ mèlù He
tried to silence me by gesturing with his hand when I was
about to reveal what he had done
kpukpulukpu
n.
stiffness; firmness:
ÒC bù ùdị ọyà gịnị kà ỌjiCnà-ayà afọ yā jì kwe
kpukpulukpu? What disease is Ọjị suffering from that his
abdomen is so stiff and distended?
-me kpukpulukpu
become stiff, firm
-kpụ 1.
v.
A.
pull; draw
òkpụkpụ
pulling; drawing
-kpụchìgha
draw back; lead back (animals)
-kpụdà
pull down; move down
-kpụdèbe
draw; come nearer
Achòlù m kà ị kpụdèbe ọkụ I want you to draw near the fire
-kpụdèbe n so
draw, come near
-kpụgo
draw, pull up
-kpụgonita
draw, pull up
-kpụkọ
lead together
-kpụkò
pull together; pack closely
-kpụkọnata
lead home together
-kpụkònata
pull together (e.g. branches which have been cut); compress;
pack closely together
-kpụlụ
pull away; pull away with rope, take, lead (of animals):
Kèdụ ụbòsì ị gà-àbịa kpụlụ atụlụ gị? What day are you
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coming to take away your sheep?
-kpụmì
draw away; move further
-kpụmìga
draw farther
-kpụnìta
draw within, nearer
-kpụnita
draw up; pull up
-kpụnye
launch (a boat)
-kpụ ụkpụlụ
mark, make trail (e.g. with the foot to mark out foundation)
-dọkpụ
pull along (e.g. goat with rope round its neck)
B.
pull oneself along without using legs; creep; shuffle; wriggle;
glide (as snake)
-kpụ àkpụ = -kpụ:
Nwa m nwoke achọ rọ igbe igbe, ọ bù òkpụkpụ kà o jì
ikè àkpụ My little boy does not want to creep; he is pushing
himself forward on his buttocks:
Agwọ bù òfu níme anụ nā-akpụ ākpụ The snake is one of
the animals that move by gliding:
Afùlù m onye oriì afù ogè ọ dàlù n’ànì wèlụ afọ ya na-
àkpụ kà mmadụ wèlụ ghàlụ ịfụ ya I saw the thief when he
fell to the ground wriggling on his stomach in order to avoid
being seen by people
-kpụghalị
creep; glide, wriggle about
-kp’ụkònata
contract in size (of something long and flexible, e.g. snake or
worm, when it draws body together before expanding)
-kpụnye
creep, crawl, glide, pull into
-kpụpù
creep, crawl, glide forth, out
-kpụpùta
creep, crawl, glide out (to the open)
-kpụrụka
move aside:
Bikō kpùrụkalụ m Please move aside from me (i.e. without
using legs)
-kpụ 2.
v.
mould; make, manufacture (iron materials like a blacksmith)
òkpụkpụ
moulding; making; manufacturing
-kpụ aja
make mud wall
-kpụ egbè
make a gun
-kpụghalị
refashion; remake; alter
-kpụ mmà
manufacture cutlass
-kpụ n dèlè
make track
-kpụ ụzụ
work as blacksmith; make metal appliances in blacksmith’s
workshop
òkpụ ìtè
potter
-kpụ 3. +
v.
barb; shave
òkpụkpụ
barbing; shaving
-kpụ àfù ọnụ
shave beard
-kpụ isi
shave hair-of head:
Anà m èje ịkpụ isi I am going to cut my hair
òkpụ iìsi
A.
shaver; barber
B.
ring-worm of the head (tinea capitis)
òkpụ iìsi eliì ngo
ring-worm of the head (lit. barber who receives no pay)
-kpù 1.
v.
hold, carry (in mouth); sip
-kpù nónụ
carry in the mouth; (fig.) be actually, still speaking:
Akpù m akụ nónụ I am holding palm kernels in my mouth
-kpù okwu nónụ
be still speaking; be speaking (e.g. as contribution to debate or
speeches during meeting):
Ụnù eme zina mkpọtụ màkà nà mmadù kpù okwu nónụ
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Stop making a noise, because somebody is speaking (usu.
during meetings)
-kpù òkù nónụ
(colloq.) be smoking a pipe, cigarette, etc.: colloq.
Ibè kpù òkù nónụ Ibe is smoking at present
-kpù 2.
v.
smooth; shave; plane; scrape off
òkpùkpù
smoothing; shaving; scraping
-kpùba
abrade; abrade by scraping or dragging rough object over the
surface or skin:
Ị chòlù ịkpùbà m àrụ? Do you want to scrape my skin off?
-kpùcha
smooth; plane; scrape
-kpùchapù
scrape out
-kpùchapùta
scrape out completely
-kpù- 3.
v.:
-kpùmụlị amụ
smile, laugh, chuckle, in a gentle way (as a sign of pleasure):
Ogè a gwàlù Ibè nà nwunyè nwa nne ya àmụgo ò
kpùmụlịa amụ When Ibe was informed that his brother’s
wife had delivered (a child) he smiled
-kpù-kpò
unroof; break up roof; be broken:
A gà-àkpụkpò ụnọ ānyị ochiìè echi Our old house will be
unroofed tomorrow
-kpùkpòpù
unroof; break up roof; be broken
KW
kwa, kwọ
enc.
also; in addition to (additive, denoting repetition, emphasis, or
an action in addition to an action previously mentioned;
occurs after verbs and nominals):
Jèkwa Go again:
`Kwèkwanụ u#kwe afù òzọ Please sing that song again:
Ònye kwa nụ bù n ke à?Who else is this?
gịnị kwọ bùdù n ke à? What is this again?:
O sìkwò ike He is very strong:
Ị biCarọkwọnụ akwụkwọ n nyàafù I’m sure you didn’t
come to school yesterday
-mekwa
do again
-rikwa
eat again
-kwa
1.
pack; carry off; clear away
òkwụkwa
packing; carrying off
-kwachakọ
take away everything
-kwachi
move into place vacated by another
-kwachị
remove to another house
-kwadebe
prepare; propose to do something
-kwadèbe
bring everything near
-kwado
prepare; get ready; pack for journey:
Akwàdò m ije afịa I am ready to go to market
-kwafè
move over; remove (belongings to another house)
nkwafè
transfer (by packing bag and baggage and going to another
place)
-kwaghalị
move (things) about:
Ọ nà-àkwaghalị ife yā He is moving his things about
-kwa ibu
pack loads, belongings, luggage:
Ọ bụlụ nà ị kpāchàpùrò anya ndi oriì gà-àkwa ibu niiìne
diCn’ụnò gị If you are not careful thieves will carry off all
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the loads in your house
-kwaju
gather and fill; amass
-kwakọ
pack up; pack together:
Ànyị nà-àkwakọ ife ānyị ọnụ We are bringing our
belongings together
-kwakọbà
gather together (into); collect; prepare
-kwakọlụ
take, remove everything; pack away everything
-kwakọta
pack things together
-kwalụ
pack up:
Ọ kwàlù ife yā wèe naa He packed up and went home
-kwalụ afịa
pack and move wares away
-kwanye ọkụ
stir up a fire; accelerate a car: (fig.) stir up (trouble):
Ọ kwànyèlù nsògbu à He stirred up this crisis
-kwa obì
settle (in a place):
Akwāgo m obì n’Enugwu#I’ve settled in Enugu
-kwapù
clear out everything
-kwa ụzò
open road (by clearing); prepare way
-kwa 2. +
v.
A.
weep; cry; lament
-kwa akwa
cry; weep; lament
-;kwakpọsị anya
cry bitterly (lit. blind oneself with tears)
B.
keep funeral:
Ànyị nà-àkwa Ijè We are keeping Ije’s funeral
òkwụkwa
keeping of funeral; funeral ceremony:
Ijè nwùlù n nyàafù mà a gà-èbido ọ kwụkwa yā echi Ije
died yesterday but his funeral will begin tomorrow
-kwa ozu
perform burial ceremony; keep funeral:
A gà-àkwa ozu#echi A funeral will take place tomorrow
àkwamozu
funeral ceremony:
Ànyị gà-èje ākwamozu echi We shall attend a funeral
ceremony tomorrow
C.
cry (of animals and birds)
Oko òkpà kwàlù The cock crowed:
Ugòlo òmà nà-àkwa The crows are cawing:
Àkìlị nà-àkwa Frogs croak
D.
used in:
-kwa mmààlù
regret:
I gà-àkwalụ n kaà mmààlù You’ll regret this:
Ọ kwàlù mmààlù nà o mèlù ya He’s sorry he did it
-kwa 3. +
v.
cough
-kwa ụkwalà
cough
(ụkwalà) -kwa
have a cough
-kwa 4.
v.
sew
òkwụkwa
sewing
-kwa (akwà)
sew (cloth)
-kwachi
repair; patch (up):
Kwàchielụ m akwà m Patch my clothes for me
-kwakọdo
sew together
-kwa nga àgbà
tie bandage under chin of a dead person
òkwa àkwà
tailor (lit. sewer of clothes)
-kwa 5.
ext. suff. 1.
well; so as to restore good condition
-dokwa
repair; put in the proper position; (fig.) settle quarrel:
Ọ nà-èje idōkwa motò ya me mmebì She is going to repair
her lorry which has got a fault:
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Ọ gà-èdokwa ya bụ okwu He will settle that case
-jikwa
dress (someone else)
-lụkwa
repair
-mekwa, -mekwata
repair; please by an action; give a tip, small present:
Ọ sì nà ya amā ana mà ọ bụlụ nà fa eme kwatarọ ya He
said he would not go if he was not pleased (i.e. if something
was not done to please him)
-nòkwalụ
sit firm, well
kwà 1.
prep.
every; each (with reference to periods of time
kwà ànyasì
every evening
kwà arò
yearly; annually
kwà daa
daily
kwà èfifìè
every midday
kwà izù
weekly
kwà mbòsì
daily
kwà mgbèdè
every evening
kwà ọnwa
monthly
kwà ùchichì
nightly
kwà ụbòsì
every day; daily
kwà ùtụtù
every morning
-kwà 2.
v.
push
òkwùkwà
pushing
-kwà aka
push; urge; drive
-kwabànye
push in; hustle in:
kwabànye yā níme
hustle him inside the house
ụnò
-kwadà
push down
-kwàdo
support; hold up; stop from falling
-kwafè
push over
-kwàghe
push open
-kwàkọ
push together
-kwàkọ isi nísi
set people at loggerheads
-kwàkpọ
overthrow; push down; demolish
-kwànị ọkụ
A.
(lit.) fan fire
B.
(fig.) instigate someone to do something
-kwànye
push in
-kwàsi ike
push firmly
-kwàtù
knock down; push down
-kwà ụzò
open a road; prepare way
-kwà 3.
v.
miss; slip
òkwùkwà
disappointment; missing (something) as a result of some
hindrance:
Ọ bù egwu òkwùkwà mèlù nà ị fụ rọ onye isi egwu ụmù
àgbọghò a sì nà ọ bù yā mànàrìsìlì egwu àgba n’ Ògidi It is
your missing the dance that prevented your seeing the leader
of young women’s dance, reputed to be the greatest dancer in
Ogidi:
Egwu afù mụ e jedōrọò bù m nnukwu ife òkwùkwà (lit.
The dance that I did not meet is to me a great disappointment)
I’m very disappointed about missing the dance:
Ọ bù ife òkwùkwà mèlù nà mụ esòrò nnene akwụkwọ
n’ụkā à je Something prevented me from taking the
examination this week:
162
Òlili nà ònụnụ diCnébe à n nyàafù akwàgo giC You have
missed the feasting that took place here yesterday
-kwàcha
slip off and fall down
-kwà 4.
v.
blow (e.g. pipe); sing
òkwa àbù
soloist
òkwa òjà
piper; flute-player
-kwà 5.
v.
pour, spill (water, liquid)
-kwafù
spill:
Ọ kwāfùlù mmiliì He spilt the water, or He poured away the
water
-kwà 6.
v.:
-kwà ụta
regret; be sorry
-kwa-cha
v.
scrape; chip
-kwacha àkwacha
chip; scrape
-kwacha ji (edè)
cut off roots of yam (cocoyam)
kwalìkwatà
n.
kind of louse, very stubborn, found on clothes, pubic hair, etc.
of habitually dirty persons ( H., cf. igwu louse)
-kwà-sa
see -kwà-sị 1.
-kwà-sị 1, -kwà-sa
ext. suff. 1
upon; on
-dakwàsị
fall upon (of thing):
Ọ dākwàsì nénu ọche It fell on the chair
Ọ nọ kwàsì nénu ikpo akwụ She sits on the heap of
palmnuts:
O biìkwàsì yà aka He lays his hands on him
-kwà-sị 2.
ext. suff. 1
again
-kwukwàsị
speak again
-mekwàsị
do again
-kwe 1.
n.
believe; agree; obey; be willing; permit:
Nwoke afù kwèsìlì ịjā ike The man deserves praise
òkwukwe
agreement
-kwekọ
agree together
nkwekọ
agreement; harmony
-kwekọlịta
come to an agreement:
Ànyị èkwekọlịtago We have come to an agreement
-kwelụ
accept
-kwe nísi
nod the head
-kwenye
agree; allow
-kwenyelụ
agree with
-kwesị
deserve; be fitting; be suitable; correspond
òkwùkwe
belief; faith
ùkwe
assent
-kwe 2. +
v.
sing
-kwe ùkwe
sing hymns, songs in chorus
ùkwe
song; hymn
-kwe 3.
v.
grip
-kwedo aka
lay hold of
-kwe n’aka
shake hands
-kwerùbe
shake (e.g. bottle of oil)
nkweko akā
wrist
-kwe 4. +
v.
bargain; price
-kwedà
lower (price)
-kwe ọnụ
offer (a price)
-kwe 5.
v.
set, prepare for use (something involving strings)
-kwe akwà
weave cloth (usu. with hand loom)
163
-kwe ọnyà
set (rope, wire) trap
-kwe ụta
string a bow
-kwezi ụta
re-string a bow
-kwo
v.
pluck, extract forcibly or prematurely; remove from position
(e.g. fruit, foetus) prematurely
òkwukwo
plucking
-kwo eze
take out, extract teeth; lose tooth (teeth)
eze nkwō
loss of tooth (teeth)
-kwosị ugbènè
pluck feathers
-dàkwo
(of fruit) fall from tree before it is ripe
-kakwo
(esp. of fruits) pluck prematurely
-takwo
(of fruits) eat unripe:
Ọ nà-àtakwo ugiliì acharọ àcha She is eating an unripe
wild mango
-kwò 1.
v.
be crowded; be in a rush; rush; jerk
òkwùkwò
rushing
-kwòbà
rush in
-kwòbàta
rush in
-kwò èkwò
rush in numbers
-kwò ekwòlò
envy; contest enviously
-kwòjili
rush violently
-kwò ọnwụ
be at point of death; struggle with death
-kwòpù
rush out
mmili nā-ekwō
èkwò
A.
tap or stream where there is a rush of people wishing to fetch
water
B.
fast-flowing stream, river, water-way:
Mmili (pọmpù) Ụmùagụ nà-ekwō èkwò n’ùtụtù There is
usually a rush at the stream (tap) of Ụmag in the mornings
(mmiliì) -kwò
A.
undergo a rush of people anxious to fetch water (of a stream)
B.
rush, flow rapidly (of water-way, stream)
(pọmpù) -kwò
be surrounded by anxious, pushing crowd trying to get water
(of tap)
-kwò 2.
v.
uproot
-kwò ìlìlò
uproot a plant
-kwò +
3.
v.:
-kwò ekwòlò
envy; be jealous of
-kwò +
4.
v.:
-kwò ụla
snore
kwọ
see kwa
-kwọ
1.
grind; grate; saw; rub; (with aka as object) wash (hands)
òkwụkwọ
grinding; grating; sawing:
Fa nà-àkwọ osisi fa gbùlù n nyàafù They are sawing the
tree they felled yesterday
-kwọ aka
wash the hands
-kwọ akpụ
grate cassava; make gari:
Ọ nà-àkwọ akpụ ọ gà-ejì ghe gàlị She is grating the cassava
with which she is going to make farina
-kwọbè
saw asunder:
Ànyqị chòlù ijiì mmà ọdụ kwọbè osisi dāchilị ụzò We
want to saw asunder the tree which fell across the road
-kwọcha
file
164
-kwọcha isi
be bald
isi nkwọcha
baldness; bald head (i.e. as if head has been scraped)
onye isi nkwọcha
bald-headed person
-kwọ ìgbì
rub the gums (of teething child)
-kwọjipù
saw off
-kwọ mụlụmụlụ
be smooth (of stone); be very smooth and shining
-kwọ osè
grind pepper:
Ọ nà-àkwọ osè She is grinding pepper
n kwọ òsè
pepper-grinder (stone, machine, etc.)
-kwọ ọkà
grind corn:
Ị nà-àkwọ ọkà ị gà-èji me nni ọkà? Are you grinding the
corn with which to prepare pap?
-kwọpìà
grind to little bits or pulp; crush; mash
(motò) -kwọpìà
be crushed (by lorry or any vehicle):
Motò gà-àkwọpiCa giCisi otù ụbòsì màkà nà ị diCachàlụ
motò òfụma A lorry will crush your head one day because
you never give way properly to lorries
-kwọzè
grind to pulp; reduce by grinding
kwọzè
(slang, usu. among school-children) snack, small edibles like
àkàlà, groundnuts, èlèlè, bought and eaten by school-children
during the recess period by those who can afford it
-ta kwọzè
eat such snacks
-kwọ 2. +
v.
scoop up (water)
-kwọ mmiliì
bale; dip up water (with hands or container)
-kwọsa mmiliì
A.
throw water over the hands or body (as in taking a shower)
B.
wipe off water from the floor or any wide surface (also -
kwọcha)
-kwò
v.
carry on the back
-kwòlụ
carry on the back (e.g. child)
-kwò nnwa
carry child on the back:
Kwòlụ nnwā Carry the child on your back
-kwò nnwa n’àzụ
carry child on the back
-kwòpù
put down from the back something carried on it
-kwu
1.
speak
òkwukwu
speaking
-kwubì
end a speech:
Bikō, kwubìzịa okwu afù Please, end that speech
-kwubìdo
interrupt
-kwubulu
foretell; say beforehand
-kwudebe
cease speaking
-kwudide
continue speaking
-kwu èkwulèkwu
talk excessively or like a chatter-box; nag
-kwu ezi okwu#
speak the truth:
Ọ bù ezi okwu#kà m nà-èkwu I am speaking the truth
-kwufìè
speak wrongly, incorrectly
-kwughalị
say the opposite of what one said before
-kwujọ
speak evil of
-kwukwàsị
speak again
-kwulụ
blaspheme; revile
-kwu mpụ
talk at random
-kwunyì
overwhelm with talking:
I kwu#nyì m! You overwhelm me with talk!
-kwu òfegà, -kwu
talk in a flippant way
165
ofega
-kwu okwu
speak; utter words
-kwu okwu alụ
speak abominable word(s)
-kwu okwu āsị
speak falsehood
-kwu okwu azụ
slander; back-bite:
Ọ nà-èkwu m okwu āzụ He is talking about me behind my
back
-kwu okwu ụ gha
speak falsehood
-kwu ọnụ naàbò
say different things on different occasions or to different
people
-kwupù
speak out
-kwupùta
speak out; confess:
O kwu#pùtago echìchè ya He has put forward his views
nkwupùta
confession; profession (of faith, etc.)
-kwusà(sị)
proclaim; declare; publish abroad
-kwusàsịba
begin to spread news in all directions
-kwusi ike
speak strongly, loudly
-kwute
make mention of
-kwutò, -kwutì
slander; speak evil of
Ekwu#tòsì
female name (lit. Don’t slander)
nkwutò
evil-speaking
-kwuwa
speak plainly
-kwuwapù
speak out plainly
Chinèekwu
female name (lit. It is God who speaks, i.e. it is God who says
what will happen)
èkwulèkwu
excessive talking; nagging
okwu
speech
òka e kwukwu
chatterbox
ọnụ nā-ekwulụ +
spokesman
ọnụ nā-ekwulụ
our spokesman:
ānyị
Ọjì bù ọnụ nā-ekwulụ ānyị Ọjị is our spokesman
ọnụ nā-ekwulụ òrà
spokesman of the public, all
-kwu-, -kwụ- 2.
v.
cork
-kwuchi
cork; stopper
nkwuchi
cork; covering
-kwuchi ọnụ
cover, plug hole, mouth, opening
okwuchi, okwu
stopper; cork; cover
-kwụghe
open; uncover
-kwu 3., -ku
ext. suff.1.
to; towards
-chèkwube
trust in:
Chèkwube Chine kè Trust in God
nchèkwube
trust; confidence:
Nchèkwube ānyqị dì nà Chine kè Our trust is in God
-gbakwu(te), -
run towards, to:
gbakurịta
Ọ nà-àgbakwu nne ya She is running to her mother
-jekwu
go to; towards:
Achò m ije kwu nnà m I want to go to my father
-kpụkwu
move, crawl towards:
Ọ nà-àkpụkwu nwa nne ya She is moving towards her
sister
-kwu 4.
ext. suff.1.
more; more of
-likwu
eat more:
166
Ị chò iliìkwu nni? Do you want to eat more food?
-mùkwù
read more (of):
Ọ chò ịmùkwù akwụkwọ She wants to study further
-nụlụkwu
drink more of:
Nùlụkwue mmiìli Drink more water
-wètakwu
bring more (of):
Wètakwuelụ m mmadù naàbò Bring me two more persons
-kwù-
v.
cover; cover with lid; invert
-kwùchi
close (opening):
Kwùchie ìte siì nókụ Cover the pot on the fire
-kwùchikpò
cover in
-kwùghe
open (bottle, tin, pot, etc.)
-kwùghepù
uncover
-kwùpù
uncork (a bottle, etc.)
-kwu-do
v.
meet
-kwu-kọ, -kwụ-kọ
v.
join, piece together
-kwụkọ aka
rub the hands together in supplication
-kwukọnye, -
join, piece together
kwụkọnye
-kwù-kwù 1.
v.
hold together, clench (of hand)
-kwùkwù aka
clench, close the hand
nkwukwù akā
fist
-kwù-kwù 2.
v.
be foolish
kwùlìkwùlì
n.
used in:
-me kwùlìkwùlì
behave like a harmless madman
kwùlu
used in:
ọnwa kwùlu ọnwā
month after month
arò kwùlu arò
year after year
nnù kwùlu nnù
thousands upon thousands; million(s):
Nnù kwùlu nnù ndi be ānyị nà-èje Òbòdò Oyìbo kwà arò
Thousands of our people go to Europe each year
-kwụ 1.
v.
pay
òkwụkwụ
paying
Anà m àbịa ịkwụ onye ọ bụnà dịkà ọlụ yā sìlì dị I am
coming to pay everyone according to his work:
Ibì egō adā àdị ọlọ kà òkwụkwụ yā Borrowing money is
not usually as difficult as repaying it
-kwụchìgha
pay back; repay; refund
-kwụ ngò
A.
pay bride-price
B.
repay the bride-price paid on a wife
òkwụkwụ ngò
payment of bride price
-kwụta
send payment (of debt or wages, to speaker):
Ọ kwụ tagolụ m ụgwọ o jì m She has sent payment of his
debt to me
-kwụ ụgwọ
pay wages, debt:
Kwùa m ụgwọ m Pay me my wages, or Pay your debt to
me
òkwụkwụ (ụgwọ )
payment (of debt, wages)
akwụ cha
irredeemable; that which can never be completely repaid; debt
akwụcha
which can never be completely liquidated
-kwụ 2.
v.
stand; set
-kwụba
stand (something); place
-kwụbìdo
interfere; stand in the way of
167
-kwụchi
resist; stand in front of; block someone’s view; replace; stand
in for
-kwụ chìm
be firm; stand firm; be firmly established or secure in a place
(of person)
-kwụdèbe
stand near
-kwụdo
meet; fall in with; overtake; stand on
-kwụghalị
loiter
-kwụlụ n’ùsòlò
be in a line, single file
-kwụlụ ọtọ = -kwụ
ọtọ
-kwụ ọtọ
A.
stand upright, straight
B.
be right, upright, just
-kwụrube
stand around
-kwụsị
stop; stay:
Ọ chò ịkwụ sị motò He wants to stop the car
nkwụsị
termination; abolition
-kwụsi ike
stand firm
-kwụ ụgbà
turn a somersault
-kwụzi
make straight
akwụ do akwụdo
instability; shakiness; that which is never stable
-kwụ 3.
v.
hang
-kwụba
hang
-kwụba akwà
hang up a cloth
-kwụ èfè
swing to and fro; be neutral
-kwụ elili
commit suicide by hanging
-kwụfè
suspend; hang
-kwụfèghalị
swing; hang around
-kwụgbu
kill by hanging
-kwụ ùdò
commit suicide (by hanging); hang oneself
-kwụ 4. +
v.
smoke
-kwụ àlùlù
be misty
-kwụ anwụlù
smoke (of a fire)
-kwụgbu
suffocate by smoke
-kwụni, -kwuni
rise (of mist, smoke, etc.)
-kwụ 5.
v.
jump
òkwụkwụ
jumping
-kwụbà
jump in
-kwụdà
lower; let down
-kwụfè
jump over
-kwụpù
jump off
-kwụtù
jump down
-kwụ 6.
see -kwu
168
L.
-la 1.
v.
drink
òlịla
a drinking
ife ōlịla
drink
-lafọ
drink and leave some remaining
-lakwu
drink again, in addition, the remainder
-laju afọ
drink to satiety
-lalụ
drink a part
-la oke mmānya
drink to excess; get drunk
-la, -lụ 2.
v.
sleep
-lamì ụla
fall fast asleep
-larụ alarụ
congeal, coagulate, curdle (e.g. oil)
-larụ ụlā, -lụ ụla
sleep
-la 3.
v.
have coition with:
Ọ chò ịlā ya He wants to sleep with her
-la di
have sexual intercourse (of woman); be sexually loose (of
woman)
-là + 1.
v.
entice; seduce; deceive
-làdà
soothe, rock (a baby)
-làfù
seduce; deceive
nlafù
seduction; deceit
-làpùta ile
put out the tongue
-là ùlà
entice; charm; persuade
-là 2.
ext. suff. 1.
open; flat; exposed
-chalàpù anya
stare at
-nwulàpù
flash
-telà
rub flat
-la-cha
v.
lick; eat (juicy fruit); drink (soup)
-la-pa
v.
stick to; cling to
-lapado n’àrụ
stick to body
-lapalụ n’àrụ
cling (to somebody)
-le 1.
v.
sell
òlile
(art of) sale
afịa ōlile
merchandise; commodity
-le (afịa) ọkshòm
sell wares at an auction
-lebe (= -lesị)
sell to
-ledà
sell cheaply
-lefọ
sell, leaving some parts
-lefù
sell into slavery
-lesị
sell to:
Ị mā elesị m#ewu gī? Won’t you sell me your goat?
-le 2.
v.
be rotten
169
-letò
be very rotten
-letòsị
be completely rotten
-le ùle
rot; be rotten; be corrupt; be lazy
-le 3.
v.
brand with hot thing; burn, touch with fire or hot object; be
hot
-ledo
blaze out; catch fire
-leji
cut asunder by burning
-le ọkụ
A. be hot, warm:
Àrụ gī nà-èle ọkū Your body is hot
B. brand with hot object; burn or touch with fire, hot object:
Ì nà-àchọ ilē m ọkụ? Are you going to burn me?
(ọkụ) -le
be hurt or touched (by fire or hot object):
Ọkû lè m n’aka I was burned on the hand
-lè 1.
v.
fulfil; come to pass; (of medicine or sorcery) be efficacious
òlìlè
fulfilling; coming to pass
-lèzù
fulfil; come to pass
-dị ìlè
(of medicine or sorcery) be efficacious
(ọgwù) -lè
(of medicine or sorcery) be efficacious
-lè 2.
ext. suff.1.
(used with movement) about; used only in:
-gbelè
loiter; creep about:
Àda nà-ègbelèghalị ebe a nà-èsi ōlili Ada is hanging about
where a feast is being prepared
-kpọlè
roll along:
Afùlù m nyà kà ọ nà-àkpọlè bọòlù I saw her rolling a ball
letà
n.
letter (E., cf. akwụkwọ)
-de letà
write letter
-degalụ letà
write letter to:
A gà-èdegalụ yā letà He will be written a letter
-delụ letà
write letter to; help write letter:
Ànyị gà-èdelụ yā letà We shall write him (a letter)
-deta letà
write letter to (the speaker):
Òbi kwù nà nya gà-èdeta letà ogè nya lù Òbòdò Oyìbo Obi
said he would write when he reaches the United Kingdom
-nata letà
receive letter
-za letà
reply to letter
-zìpù letà
post, mail, dispatch, send out letter:
Agà m èzipù letà m echī I shall dispatch my letter tomorrow
-li 1.
v.
eat; acquire; absorb
òlili
feast; eating; consumption
Òlili Nsọ
Holy Communion
-li àkù
inherit wealth:
Òbìàgèèliàkù
name for a girl born into a wealthy family
òli àkù
loved wife; heir; inheritor
170
-li àrụ efè
be at ease, free from care:
Ọ nà-èli àrụ efè He is just resting quietly at home, or He is at
ease
-lichapù
eat up; devour
-lidà
cause someone to spend all he has
-li èlèlè
gain
-lifọ
eat and leave some remaining
-ligbàdo
eat up
-ligbu
defraud (otherwise than in trading)
nligbu
cheating; fraud
-liju afọ
eat to satiety
-likọ
eat together
-likpù
overwhelm, swallow up (of water, mud, etc.)
-likwu
eat more
-li ǹgàlì
take bribe
-li ngō
accept a bribe
-li nni
eat food; feed
-li nrā
fine; impose a fine
-li obì
resemble in behaviour; behave in exactly the same way as
another person
-li òlili
have a feast
-li ọkù
inherit wealth
-li ọnū
dumbfound; astonish:
O lì m ọnū It astonished me
-lipù
devour; eat up
-lita n’ùkwù
inherit; gain by inheritance
-lite
A. accommodate; contain
B. eat from; have a share of (inheritance)
-lite ekpē
inherit
-li ulù
gain; profit; benefit
-li ụgwō
receive salary, wages, etc.
-li ùwà
enjoy; enjoy life
(mmilī) -li
(of water) drown:
Ọ nà-àgbaku onye mmilī nà-àchọ ilī He is running to a
person about to drown
-li + 2.
v.:
-li ìzìzì
tickle:
Ọ nà-èli m#ìzìzì He is tickling me
-li 3.
ext. suff.1.
on; against
-fili
support
-meli
overcome
-lì
ext. suff.1.
reduce to small units; splinter; crush (something softer or
more fragile than -gwò)
171
-bèlì
cut into small pieces:
Achò m ibēlì anụ m gà-ènye nwa nkịtā I want to cut into
small pieces the meat I intend to give to the puppy
-gbalì
dissolve; crush; break into small pieces:
Mkpụlụ ọgwū dānyelụ n’ime mmīli agbalìgo The tablet
which has fallen into water has dissolved
-kụlì
break into pieces by knocking:
Ọ nà-àkụlì ajā She is breaking a piece of mud wall
-tilì
break (e.g. china, tilley-lamp)
-zòlì
reduce to powder or splinters by stepping on:
Ị nà-àzọlī m#ụkwụ You are stepping on my foot
-lì-lì
v.
be very old (of thing):
Àfè m elilìgo My garment is already tattered
-lìlì èlilì
be old and tattered (of clothes); crumble (of a wall):
O yì àfe lilì èlilì She is wearing an old and tattered dress
lìlìlì
n.
shivering or quivering state
-kpo lìlìlì
swarm (of bees)
-rù lìlìlì
shiver; quiver
-lị + 1.
v.
climb; creep
òlịlị
a creeping, stroll
-lị alị
creep (of insects, etc.)
-lịdà
descend; go down
-lịfèta
climb over
-lịgo
climb
-lịgota
climb up
-lịkwàsị
climb upon; climb up again
-lịpù
alight from a vehicle
-lị ugwu
climb mountain, hill; move uphill
-lị 2.
ext. suff. 1.
for one's own benefit; to oneself
-kpachalị
(lit.) scrape for the benefit of oneself; (fig.) enjoy; scrounge:
Ọ nà-èje n’ebe a nà-aŋùlị aŋùlị nnwā ịmā mà ọ nwè ịfe ọ
gà-àfụ kpachalị She is going to the place where a naming
ceremony is going on to see whether there is something she
could get to eat (or, take away)
-kwàchalị
exclaim in pleasure or amusement; chuckle:
Gèe ntì, ị gà-ànụ kà Àda nà-akwàchalị Listen, you will hear
Ada chuckling to herself
-lachalị
lick; (fig.) make the most of; enjoy:
Ọ bụlụ nà ulù àdapùtalụ m#ebe m jèkò m lachalịa yā If I
get some profit (usu. unexpected) where I am going, I will
make the most of it
-mụlị, -kpùmùlì
smile; laugh
-ŋachalị
roast (for oneself):
172
Anà m èje iŋāchalị àbùba anū nnē nyèlù m I am going to
roast the animal fat that mother has given me
-lị, li 3.
ext. suff.1.
about; around (often combined with -gha 1.B)
-gòli
rejoice; make joyful noise:
Ànyị nà-egòli We are rejoicing
-jeghèli
wander about at random
-nòlị
sit around; sit around idly:
Ọgè ǹcha kà ọ nà-anòlị n’ụnō Āda He always sits around in
Ada's house
-ŋùlị
rejoice:
Gịnî kpàtà ijì aŋùlị? Why are you rejoicing?
-lị, -li 4.
ext. suff.3.
still:
Ì nòlìlị? Are you still here?
enc.
indicates politeness (can follow verb or (pro)-noun):
Kwùe nyā lì Say it, the:
Jèelì afịa Please to go market:
Gwa m#lì ife i kwùlù Please tell me what you said:
Bìalì Please come!
-lì +
v.
-lì òlìlì
announce news, usu. to summon people to a meeting
onye òlìlì
town-crier
-lị(-ta)
(deriv. suff.)
against; opposing; opposite:
Èbùnù naàbò nà-àkụlịta mpì n’ìlo Two rams are butting
their heads together outside
-kụlịta
knock against, together
-chelịta iru
face; direct gaze against, towards:
Ọ nà-èchelịta afīa iru It is facing the market
-lo 1.
v.
be painful; ache
òlilo
being painful
-lo ilo
hurt; ache; be painful
àrụ ōlulo
weariness
ife ōlulo
hurt; pain
-lo 2.
v.
be among; be one of:
Ebo lòlù na ndi a chụpùlù n’ọlụ Ebo was one of the people
dismissed from work
-lo elo
be useful; be fitting
-lo n’ife
be useful
-lo + 3.
v.:
-lo ilo
bear a grudge; be enemies
-lò
v.
think (about a problem)
-lòchìgha
repent; reflect
-lò èlò
think
-lòfìè
think wrongly; be mistaken
173
-lògha
repent; change one's mind
nlògha
repentance; change of mind
-lo ìlìlò, ìlòlò
think; suggest
lòkene!
think, please! just think of it (usually of something bad)
-lòkọba
consider:
Anà m èlokòba ife o mè m I am thinking of all the things he
has done to me (good or bad)
-lòpùta
think out; suggest
-lòta, -lòte
remember
nlòta
remembrance
-lòtalụ
remind
-lòzọ
forget
nlòzọ
forgetfulness
alò
advice; suggestion
ọka elùlò, ọka ilòlò
counsellor; thinker; adviser
-lọ + 1.
v.:
-lọ mmụō
feast the dead; offer food to the ancestors
-lọ + 2.
v.
bend; twist; be bent, twisted
-lọgò
be crooked, bent, winding, sinuous, tortuous:
Mkpịsị afù lò(lù) àlọ The spike is bent
-lọji
twist yam tendrils round the stake
-lọji onu
break the neck
-lọkọ
curl hair
-lò + 1.
v.
dream
-lò nlọ
dream
-lò 2.
v.
be thick (of liquids)
òlùlò
being thick
-lò àlò
be thick (of liquids):
O tègo m jì wèlụ èli ofe dī gololo, mà kịtāà achòlù m ilī ofe
lōlụ àlò For a long time I have been eating watery soups but
now I want to eat a thick soup
-lò + 3.
v.:
-lò anya
eye; look at angrily or with contempt:
Ọ nà-alō m#anya She is eyeing me
-lu 1.
v.
reach; arrive at; amount to; reach a time:
O lūe It is time:
Ò lue mgbè afù, ... When it was time, ...:
Ò luzịa It happened; it came to pass; then
-lu aka
receive; reach
-lu anì
arrive at a settlement, conclusion
-lu àrụ
receive; reach
-lu ogō
reach age (for doing particular things); perform ceremony (for
girl reaching puberty); be able to
174
-lute
arrive at; reach
-lu 2.
v.
grow; breed
-lu arụrụ
breed worms
-lu dòtị
be dirty, filthy
-lu inyi
be dirty
-lute
grow (head hair)
-lu 3.
v.
overflow, rise (of river in rainy season):
Òrìmmìlì lùù n’arō à The Niger has overflowed this year
-lukpù
overflow; drown; submerge
-lusà
overflow; spread
mmili ōlulu
rising of water at flood-time
-lù 1.
v.
A. become soft; soften
B. (of pears) soften by warming (in hot ashes, water, etc.)
C. (of cassava) become soft by fermentation
-lù èlù
become soft
-lù 2.
v.
threaten (of rain):
Mmilī nà-elù Rain is threatening
-lùchì
obscure (sun, of clouds)
-lụ 1.
v.
work; construct; make:
Ọ nà-àlụ ọlū He is working
òlụlụ
A. working; constructing; making
B. work; task; work to be done; working:
Òlili nà òlụlû dì be m#There is plenty of eating and working
in my house
-lụ ajō ọlụ
do work badly:
Ọ nà-àlụ ajō ọlụ He is a bad worker
-lụcha ànì
cultivate land; clear weeds
-lụmì
go far with a task:
Ndù àlụmìgo ugbō yā Ndụ has gone very far in the
cultivation of his farm
-lụni
build up
-lụnwù
rebuild
-lụ ọlụ
work
-lụsị
finish a piece of work:
Alūsịgo m#ọlụ m#I have finished my work
-lụsi ike
work hard, energetically
-lụta
earn
-lụ ugbo
work a farm
-lụ ụnò
build a house
ọlụ
work; labour; profession; task
-lụ + 2.
v.:
-lụ àrụ ụkà
be self-controlled
-lụlịta ụkà
debate; discuss
175
-lụ onwē ụkà
be disciplined, self-controlled:
Ọ nà-àlụ onwe yā ụkà He is self-controlled
-lụ ụkà
dispute with; argue
-lụ + 3.
v.
defile; desecrate; be faulty, defective
-lụ afọ
have stomach-ache
-lụ alū
be defiled, corrupt; commit abomination
-lụ ànì
commit abomination, havoc, treachery:
Ibè lùlù ànì Ibe committed an abomination
-lụ (nni) ọgwù
A. neutralise effect of poison:
Anà m èje ịkpō dibīa ga-alụ ọgwù ànyị lòlù nà e tìnyèlù
n’ime nni e bùnyèlù ànyị I am going to call a native doctor
who is going to neutralise the effect of the poison we think
has been added to the food offered to us
B. (fig.) To prove that food and drink presented by the host to
his guests have not been poisoned, the host usually tastes from
every eatable thing presented before allowing his guests to
have their share. This tradition is called ịlū ọgwù:
Bikō kpòọ di bī ụnò kà ọ bịa lụalụ ānyị nni ọgwù Please
call the master of the house to come and taste the eatables
(traditionally, to prove absence of poisoning)
àrụ ōlụlụ
state of being maimed or spiritually unclean
-lụ 4.
v.
see -la 2.
-lụ 5., -lu, -lị, -li
infl. suff.
(-lu after o u, -lị after ị, -li after i) neutral tense marker,
denoting past with action verbs and present with non-
alternating stative verbs:
Ì lìlì gịnī? What did you eat?
Fâ jèlù afịa They went to market:
Àdâ màlù mmā Ada is beautiful:
Ọ chòlù egō He wants money. With alternating stative verbs,
its absence denotes present time and its presence past time:
Àdâ bù ìtè Ada is carrying a pot:
Àdâ bùlù ìtè Ada carried a pot. It is often reduced to -V (i.e. a
vowel identical with the preceding vowel) or entirely dropped:
Kèdụ mgbè i jìlì/jìì/jì bịa? When did you come?:
Ọ rìlì/rìì/rì enū He climbed up. When followed by another
suffix of the same shape (i.e. -lụ 6 or -lụ 7.), the first one is
dropped entirely if the sentence is unemphatic and reduced to
-V if the sentence is emphatic:
O sìlì yà nni She cooked food for him:
O sììlì yà nni She did cook food for him (-lụ 5. + -lụ 6.)
Edèlù m nyà akwụkwọ I wrote to him:
Edèèlù m nyà akwụkwọ I did write to him (-lụ 5. + -lụ 6.):
Bikō nyèlụ yā aka chìkọọlụ yā òlòma dī n’ime ụnò Please
help her gather and take away the oranges in the room (-lụ 5.
176
+ -lụ 6.; more emphatic than chìkọlụ, implying that the
oranges are scattered and take longer to collect:
Achò m kà ị gokọọlụ m#ōkụkò abùke n’afịa I want you to
help go round in the market and buy me abuke fowls (-lụ 5. +
-lụ 6. more emphatic than gokọlụ, implying that every single
one from all parts of the market must be bought):
Ọ gbàwàlù ọsọ He ran away (at the first sight of danger):
Ọ gbàwààlù ọsọ He ran away (in the midst of the battle) (-lụ
5. + -lụ 7.)
-lụ 6., -lu, -lị, -li
ext. suff. 1.
(-lu after o u, -lị after ị, -i after i; follows inflectional suffixes)
dative suffix, denoting that the action is done to or for the
benefit of the indirect object:
Ọ zūtagolu m#ewu He has bought a goat for me. If there is no
indirect object, it is understood to be for the benefit of the
subject (reflexive):
Bùlu jī Carry yams (for yourself). For rules of combination
with -lụ 5. (neutral), see under -lụ 5.
-fụtalụ
discover for
-gotelụ
buy for
-lụ 7.
ext. suff. 1.
(-lu after o u, -lị after ị, -li after i) ablative suffix denoting
from, away:
Ọ zūgolu m#ewu He has bought a goat from me (note contrast
in meaning with:
Ọ zūgolu m#ewu He has bought a goat for me (usually,
unambiguously, zūtagolu m), proving that this is a different
suffix from -lụ 6.). For rules of combination with -lụ 5., see -
lụ 5
-gbawalụ
run away
-kpọkọlụ
gather together and take away
-ŋụlụ
drink from
-wèlụ
take; take away; take from
-lù 1.
v.
stick in, out
-lù aka
point out; put finger on
-lùdo
A. stick in
B. persist
-lùdo osisi
stick a stick into the ground
-lùnye aka
poke finger into
-lù + 2.
v.:
-lù ụkwụ
limp
-lù + 3.
v.:
-lù ụla
be sleepy
-lù 4.
ext. suff. 1.
(cf. -lụ 3.) polluting; spoiling
-gbalù
pollute by mixing
-tilù àrụ
bruise
177
-tụlù
roll in; wallow
M.
m
pron.
(independent; 1st person singular; cf. e-/a-...m) I; me; my:
Ọ kpòlù m He called me:
Kà m je
Let me go:
aka m#
my hand
-ma 1.
v.
know; be familiar with; know how (to do something):
Àmà m? Do I know?
Ì mà ebe o sì bịa? Do you know where he comes from?
Ànyị amārọ ànì We (as strangers) don’t know this place:
Ọ mààlù anyà ụgbọ He drives well:
Ì mààlù àgụ akwụkwọ? Can you read?:
Ò marō ède ifē He doesn’t know how to write:
Ò marō ǹke bù aka nnī nà aka èkpè He doesn’t know his
left from his right
òmụma
knowing; knowledge
-ma akwụkwọ
be literate, brainy
-ma amụma
prophesy; foretell
-ma anya
be familiar with; attract; be good at doing something:
Nni m mààlù anya yā bù ji My usual food is yam:
Ọ mààlù anya akwà He's a good judge of cloth
-ma àrụ
become customary:
Ịtēta ụla n’elekele īse ụtụtù àmalụgo m#arụ I have become
used to waking up at five o'clock in the mọrning
-machasịlị
know well
-ma ife
have sense; be wise
-ma isì
smell
-ma ìzù
be prudent:
Ọ mààlù ìzù He's prudent
-malụ afà
be well-known, important:
Nwoke afù bù onye a màlù afà ya The man is well-known
-malụ aka
be friendly, familiar with
-ma nnwokē
not to be in state of virginity (of woman) (lit. know a man):
Nwatà nwaànyì afù akā àmarọ nwokē The young girl has
not known a man
-ma obì
know one's own mind:
Ò marō obì ya He doesn’t know his own mind, or, He's fickle
-ma ògò
be grateful, polite, well-behaved, modest, courteous:
Ọ dī àma ògò He is not usually grateful
-mata
understand:
178
Ì màtàlù ife m kwùlù? Do you understand what I said?
-ma ùma
do on purpose; act wilfully, knowingly, deliberately:
Ọ mà ùma wèe me yā She did it on purpose
-ma ùnò
be tame, domesticated (of animal)
-mazi
direct; explain to (e.g. a way of doing something):
Anà m èje ịyō Ibè kà ọ mazielụ m#etu m gà-èsi je nnukwu
ụnò ọgwū dī n’Ìbàdàn a nà-àkpọ UCH ghàlụ ifù ụzò I am
going to beg Ibe to direct me as to how to reach the big
hospital at Ibadan called UCH without missing the way
-mazù
know all; understand fully
adī àma āma
perhaps; maybe; in case of
amā
(negative form), used in many negative noun phrases, e.g.:
amā ama/ife
ignorance:
Ife o jì dàa nnene akwụkwọ bù amā ama What made him
fail the examination was ignorance:
Amā ama adī ègbu amà àmà Something you don’t know of
won’t kill you
amā ndị a nà-ezè
failure to know the people to be avoided
amā nnà
lack of respect for father:
Jọǹ bù amā nnà John does not respect his father
amā oku ọnū
inability to express oneself freely; inarticulateness
amā onwe
senselessness; unconsciousness
amā ògò
ingratitude; ungrateful person
amā uchē Chukwu
inability to understand God's ways
amā ụma,
mistakenly
amānụma
Àmà-àma-amāsị-
A. one known but never fully (praise-name of God)
amasị
B. title-name for masquerade
àmàmife
knowledge; wisdom
oke àmàmife
great wisdom
-ma 2.
v.
A. jump
-ma ama
hop
-mafè
leap over
-mafù obì
take the breath away
-magolu ànyìnyà
mount a horse
-maghalị
jump about
-mani enū
leap, jump
-ma n’ọnyà
be caught in a trap
B. shake
-maghalị
shake (a vessel containing liquid)
-ma lìlì
shiver
-marùbe
shake; move
179
ànì mmarùbe
earthquake
ànị ōma jìjìjì
earthquake
(àrụ) -ma nni
tremble
-ma + 3.
v.
stab; throw; pierce; stick in
-maghalị
throw about
-ma mmà
pierce, strike with sword, matchet; stab:
Màa yā mmà! Stab him!
-manye
attack with violence; force; persecute; assault
-ma osisi
plant a live stick, slip or cutting
-ma òla
slap
-mapu
pierce (with knife, spear, etc.)
-mapù
ostracise
mmapù
ostracism
-mapù imi
blow the nose
-ma ubè
pierce with a spear
-ma ùla, òla
slap the face with the open hand
-ma 4.
v.
A. mould
-makọ
compress together
-ma mkpūlu
make an earthbed, mound
-ma òkpokō
mould large morsel of pounded food (idiomatic)
-ma òkpoko ụtàlà
mould large morsel of pounded fufu
òmụma ụnō īkwuù
encampment
B. stick together; stick to; compress together; pile up
-ma àbùbà
be fatty, plumpy
-mado
stick; be sticky
-ma èbù
become mouldy
-makù
embrace
-makùdo
stick; stick to
-makpù
lie on the stomach
-dinà mmakpù
lie on the stomach
-ma + 5.
v.:
Ọ māka! Good! It is very good, beautiful!
-ma mmā
be good; be beautiful, handsome:
Nnwatà nwokē afù màlù oke mmā The young man is very
handsome
òfụma
well
-ma 6.
v.
beat (of rain and sun)
-madè
be beaten by rain to the skin (of humans); be beaten soggy by
rain (of articles)
-malì àmalì
be drenched thoroughly
-ma 7.
v.
wrap; tie
òmụma
wrapping
-ma akwà
wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper (cf. -mà ògòdò)
180
-makwụ
tie
-ma ògòdò = -ma
wear, tie wrapper, be dressed in wrapper
akwà
akwā ōmụma
blanket; wrapper
-ma + 8.
v.
announce
-ma àtù
point at for illustration, as an example, a model; compare to
-ma ikpe
condemn; be condemned:
A màlù yà ikpe He was condemned
àmàmikpe
condemnation, conviction (in case)
-ma ìwu
make, enact law
-ma ọkwà
announce; give public notice
-ma 9.
v.
rub; press
-malà
rub; stroke; soothe; massage
-makù
bring near
-makùta
clasp to body
-malù obì
soothe the heart
-ma mmilī
press sprain, etc., with cloth dipped in hot water
-ma + 10.
v.:
-ma ọsò
suck the teeth (in contempt, etc.)
-ma 11.
v.:
(agwa) -ma
miss
(agwa)ụnò) -ma
be homesick
Agwa ụnò nà-àma m#I am homesick
-ma 12.
aux. v.
marks the future negative tenses:
Chikē amā-abịa Chike will not come (future negative):
Chikē amā na-ègo jī Chike will not be (habitually) buying
yams (future progressive negative, used in main clauses, cf. -
ga 3.):
Chikē amā egogo jī Chike will/must not have bought yams
(future perfect negative):
Chikē amā na-ègogo jī Chikē will not have been (habitually)
buying yams/Chike can’t have been buying yams (future
progressive perfect negative)
conj.
but; if; whether:
Jùa nnwokē afù mà ò gà-àbịa echī Ask the man whether he
will come tomorrow
màkà
on account of; lest; concerning; for; for the sake of; because:
Kèdụ màkà gị nwà? And how about you?
màkà gịnī
why? because of what?
màkà ifì
for the sake of; because of
màkà nà
because; for; since
màkà ya
therefore; consequently
mà ... mà
both ... and:
181
mà ji mà ọkà
both yam and maize (= kà ... kà)
ǹcha
not at all; none (used with negative):
Àrụ esògbugo m#ọnwa īsiì; kịtāà, ènwerō m egō mà ǹcha I
have been ill for six months; now, I have no money at all
(implying 'not even a kobo')
mà ò bù
either; or; neither - nor:
Achòlù m onye ēnyemaka mà ò bù nwokē mà ò bù
nwaànyì I need a helper, man or woman:
Zùta ewu mà ò bù atụlū Buy a goat or a sheep
-mà
v.
measure (a quantity, e.g. salt or beans with cup, etc.)
-màta
buy (something measured)
maàzị
n.
mister (of Ndizụògù origin)
-ma-ji
v.
fold over; double
mmaji
folding; doubling
mmaji naàbò
two-fold
màkà
see mà 1.
màlàmàlà
n.
glittering quality
-gbu màlàmàlà
glitter
-nwu màlàmàlà
be dazzling
mangòlò
n.
mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) (< H.)
mbà 1.
n.
nation; tribe; (another person’s) town:
Òje mbà enwē ilo A traveller rarely has enemies:
ndị mbā ānyị people of our nation:
Kà m je mbà Let me go to another town
enyi mbà
'Elephant people' (referring to the Igbo)
mbà! 2.
int.
no! (emphatic) (cf. èe è)
mba 1.
n.
scolding; bluster; bitter complaining
-ba mba
scold; rebuke; "howl":
Ọ nà-àbalụ yā mba She is scolding her:
Àda ètiwago ìtè, nne ānyị gà-àba mba ogè ọ nàtàlù Ada has
broken a pot; mother will complain when she returns
mba 2.
n.
cat
nwa mba
cat (cf. nwa ōnogbò)
m
n.
extreme tiredness; exhaustion; faintness
-dà m
be very tired and exhausted; be tired by a task to the extent
that one can no longer go on with it; be worn out
Proverb
Ugwu kà a gà-àlị The hill, we shall climb
Mbà kà a gà-adà Faintness, we shall feel
(This short proverbial expression is used when facing a
difficult task which cannot be avoided.)
mbacha
n.
peelings (of yam, etc.) (from -ba-cha peel)
mbadamba
n.
flatness
182
mbala
n.
outside:
Pùa mbala Go outside
mbala ēzi
compound inside walls (contrast ìlo)
mbalā
n.
A. spaciousness; roominess; wideness
-dị mbalā
be spacious, wide:
Ebe à dì mbalā This place is spacious
-sa mbalā
be wide:
Afele à sà mbalā This plate is wide
B. compound; pack; open space in town
mbàla
n.
kind of edible frog with long hind legs
mbàzù
n.
tool for digging
mbè
see mbèkwù
mbe 1.
n.
pledge; security
mbe 2.
n.
Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides)
m 1.
n.
small calabash for measuring salt
m 2.
n.
used in:
mbè n’ukwù
skirt; native skirt worn as underwear
mbèbèlè
n.
used in:
mbèbèlè anyā
eyelid
mbèkwù, mbè
n.
tortoise (male)
nkekele mbè
tortoise shell
okpulukpu mbè
tortoise shell
mbèlède
n.
suddenness;
Ọ bìàkwùtè mmbèlède He came to me suddenly:
ife mbèlède
chance; accident
mm
n.
small black edible fruit of ilighìlì
m
n.
used in:
-ru m
lie in wait; set an ambush
mbìbì
n.
borrowing (-bì 3. borrow)
-gba mbìbì
borrow; go about borrowing:
Ogè niīne kà ọ nà-àgba mbìbì egō He always goes about
borrowing money
mbìdo
n.
pressing; repressing (-bìdo press)
mbìgbọ
n.
scolding; storming; uproar
mbìàmbịa
n.
stranger; squatter
mbọ
n.
nail (of toe or finger); claw
-dọ mbọ
tear with nails
-gà mbọ
scratch with nails
-gba mbọ
pare nails
-rọ mbọ
pinch, scratch with nails
-tù mbọ
pinch with fingernails
mbò 1.
n.
revenge
-bò mbò
seek revenge with blood:
183
Ànyị jèkò ịbò mbò We are going to take revenge
mbò 2.
n.
effort; struggle; industry; enterprise
-gba mbò
strive; attempt; try hard; persist; be enterprising, industrious
mbòcha
n.
curiosity; inquisitiveness (-bòcha)
mbòsì
see ụbòsì
mmbu
n.
bogeyman (a creature that will carry bad children away) (=
ǹtaǹta)
mbụ
n.
one (in counting only); (the) first:
Èkê bù onye ǹke mbụ Eke is in the first place
ife mbụ
the first thing
ogē mbụ
at first; initially
ụbòsị mbụ
the first day:
Taà bù ụbòsị mbụ n’ọnwa Today is the first day of the
month
mbùbò
n.
peel (of fruit)
-me
v.
do; act; make; happen; cause
òmume
doing; acting; making; happening;
Ò gịnī mèlù ya? What has happened to him?
-me àgadī
be old, decrepit
-me àgbọò
do as, be a young woman
-me àghalā
be troublesome, rascally
-me àkàjè
humiliate; disgrace
-me aka ntụtù
be fond of pilfering, picking and stealing
-me alū
commit abomination; break taboo; do something traditionally
forbidden
-me ànwàǹ
conjure; perform magic
-me anya ụlā
be drowsy
-me arìma
make a sign, signal
-me àsalà
be polite
-mebe
prepare; make (ready)
-mebì
keep in disorder; spoil:
O mebì ife à nụnwà He spoilt this very thing:
Ajọ ūkpa nà-èmebì nnwatà Bad influences spoil a child
mmebì
mess; spoiling; ruin
-mebì ìwu
commit crime, offence; break law; sin
mmebī īwu
crime
-mecha imi
wipe the nose
-mechi
shut, close (eye, mouth, window, door, book); close down:
O mèchì ụzò He shut the door:
Àyị èmechigo òzụzụ afịa āyi We have wound up our
business
-mechi ọnū
hush; shut up
-mechite
close door behind one:
184
O mèchìtè ụzò He shut the door behind himself
-me èbelè
take pity on; be sorry for; have mercy on:
Èbelè yâ mèlù m I am full of pity for him
-me èbùbè
beautify; decorate:
O mèlù akwà afù èbùbè He decorated the cloth
-mefìè
do wrong; sin
mmefìè
crime; transgression; wrongdoing
-mefù
spend lavishly; waste
-megide, -mejide
act against
-megbu
oppress; ill-treat
mmegbu
oppression
-meghalị
move round; stir; shake
-meghe
open (eye, window, door) (cf. -sàghe)
-meghèli anya
confuse
-meghepù, -mepù
undo; loose; unfasten; open
-megwalụ
take revenge
-me ifelē
put to shame
-me imē
be in labour; travail
-me isi ikē
be headstrong
-mejọ
injure
mmejọ
injury
-meju
fill
-mekà àrụ
trouble; bother
-mekàta, -mekata
do for a long time
-mekọ
act together; have intercourse with; fraternise with
mmekọ
companionship; partnership; intercourse
-mekọta
happen together:
Ife naàbò afù mèkòtàlù The two events were simultaneous
-me
be cranky and noisy (refers esp. to noise made by an old
kpakalakpakala
bicycle)
-me kpukpulukpu
become stiff, firm
-mekwàsị
repeat (action)
-mekwọlụ
take revenge
-me kwùlìkwùlì
behave like a harmless madman
-mekwulu
return; do in return; take revenge
-meli
overcome (person); win:
Ọō mụ nwà mèlìlì n’ọsọ afù It was I that won the race
mmeli
victory
abù mmeli
song of victory
-melụ
defile; do a forbidden thing:
Fâ mèlùlù ụnò ụkà They desecrated the church
-melụ àrụ
hurt; wound:
Emèlù m àrụ I hurt myself
185
-me mgbagò
be bent, crooked, curved
-me mgbagha
dispute
-me mgbalì
be slender, slim
-me mgbanwè
be changed
-me mpàko
be proud, pompous, arrogant, aloof
-meni
stir up
-me n’ike
do violently, forcibly
-me nkwà
keep, fulfil a promise
-me nni
be fertile (of land)
-me n’ogè
be punctual; do something in good time
-me nsọ
break a prohibition; do a forbidden thing
-me ntado
be tight (e.g. as undersized shirt, etc.)
-me ntiwa
be broken
-me nzofù
hide away; become perpetually hidden
-menye ifelē n’iru
make ashamed of oneself (lit. bring shame to one's face):
Ifelē mèlù onye àbànìdìegwu afù mgbè a kpùtàlù ya n’ụnò
ikpē The robber was ashamed of himself when he was
brought before the court
-menyụ
extinguish
-me okènyè
be aged, elderly, old
-me okolobìà
do as, be a young man
-me ògò
be kind to; do a kindness to
-me òzọ
repeat; do again
-mesì
counteract pain of
-mesì ọnya
dress a fresh wound
-mesị
finish
-mesò
deal with; treat; do to
-meta
be exact; imitate correctly
-mete
rouse
-mete n’ụla
waken; rouse from sleep:
Jèe mètee Ndù nụụla Go and rouse Ndụ from sleep
-metò
spoil; defile
mmetò
defilement; dishonour; disgrace
-metụ
touch
-metụ aka
touch lightly:
O mètù m~aka He touched me (with the hand)
-me ụŋàlà
make noise with mouth or horn (esp. to attract attention)
-mezi
correct; repair:
Mèzie ife m#mebìlù Correct my mistakes!
akâ mèlù
illicit gin (lit. made by hand)
Ànìèmeka
male name (lit. The land has done very well)
emē eme
something that is not done
e mekàta
after a while
186
e mesia
afterwards
ọmā koòmè = ọmā
ka ò mè however it
may be
-pù imē
be able to do
apù imē
inability to do; impossibility
mèlịmpụ
n.
of no consequence:
Onye à bù mèlịmpụ This person is of no consequence
mfe
n.
lightness; ease
àrụ mfe
good health; activity
-dị mfe
be light:
Ọ dì mfe It is light
-gba mfe
be light:
Ọ gbà mfe It is light
mfù
n.
loss (- lose)
mfùkọ
n.
used in:
mfùkọ akwà
crease
mgba
n.
used in:
mgba akā, mgbà
ring
akā
mgbā
n.
wax; glue
mgba
n.
wrestling (-gba 1.E. wrestle)
mgba n’ògù
strife; conflict
di mgba
A. wrestler
B. convulsions (because the child suffering a convulsive
attack behaves like a person who is wrestling, in this case with
an unseen wrestler)
-gba mgba
struggle; wrestle
ògba mgba
wrestler
-yọ mgba
challenge to a wrestling contest
mgbà + 1.
n.
used in:
mgbà arò
a year
mgbà 2.
see mgba
mgbaàjàlà
n.
whip
mgbàchi
n.
stopping of a gap; blocking; counteracting; thwarting;
interposition
mgbadà
n.
level ground, as opposed to a hill
mgbàdà
n.
Maxwell's duiker
mgbafịlị
n.
small type of yam which cannot be replanted but only eaten (=
mkpụlù)
mgbagò
n.
state of being bent
mgbaghàlụ
n.
forgiveness
mgbaka
n.
sour, tart taste (as of unripe fruit)
187
mgbakà
n.
used in:
mgbakā ārụ
uneasiness of body; irritation
àrụ mgbakà
fidgeting
mgbàkalakòm
see mkpàkalakòm
mgbasịlị
n.
used in:
mgbasịlị akā
finger-ring
mgbè
n.
time; period; when (cf. ogè)
mgbè afù
then; at that time
mgbè ǹcha
always; at all times
mgbè niīne
all times; every time
mgbe ōbụnà
any time; every time:
Ị nwè ike ịbīa ebe à mgbe ōbụnà ị chòlù You can come here
any time you wish
mgbè ochīè
olden days
mgbè ọkōchì
time of dry season
mgbèdè, mgbèdè
n.
late afternoon; early evening (from when sun is getting low
till dusk)
mgbèdè anyàsì
late in the evening; evening:
Ọ gà-àbịa ebe à na mgbèdè anyàsì She will come here late
in the evening
kwà mgbèdè
every evening
mgbelē
n.
trading
-tụ mgbelē
trade; retail
mgbịlịmgba
n.
bell
-kụ mgbịlịmgba
ring bell
mgbō
n.
kind of shutter or door; plank used as kneading-board for clay
mgbō
n.
bullet
mgbòlòdị
n.
waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)
mgbu
n.
painfulness; pain
àrụ mgbu
illness:
O nwè àrụ mgbu He is ill
-gbu mgbu
be painful, hurtful:
Ọ nà-ègbu m#mgbu It is hurting me
ife mgbu
painful, hurtful, thing
mgbùlùgùdù
n.
abyss; place at bottom of a cliff or steep hill
mgbụgbò
n.
covering; bark; skin
mgbụgbō ākwa
eggshell
mgbụgbō ārụ
skin
-mì
v.
be deep; be depressed inwards
òmìmì
depth; (fig.) importance:
Ọ dì òmìmì It is deep
-mì èmì
be deep, skilled, mysterious
-mìkpọ
burst out crying after suppressed sobbing
188
-mì òmìmì
dive
-mì ọnū
draw in the mouth; pout; be envious
-mị 1.
v.
dry (usually over fire)
òmịmị
drying
-mị azù
dry fish
-mịkpọ
dry (fish, corn, etc.)
-mị 2.
v.
slip; move smoothly
òmịmị
slipping
-mị àmị
be slippery:
Ọ nà-àmị āmị It is slippery
-mịbà
plunge; sink in; enter stealthily
-mịghalị
loiter about; walk stealthily about
-mị mmà
draw sword, matchet
-mịnye
sheathe (knife, etc.)
-mì 1.
v.
suck
òmìmì
sucking
-mìkpọ akwa
sob
-mìlị
suck
-mì + 2.
v.:
-mì mkpụlū
bear fruit
mkpà 1.
n.
need; difficulty; necessity (from -kpà 2. be needful)
-dị mkpà
be necessary, needful, essential, important:
Igwè dì m mkpà I need a bicycle:
Ọ dì mkpà nà nne nà nnā ōbụnà gà-azùnite ụmù fa n’ụzò
ezi òmùme nà ịtū egwūū Chinēkè It is important that all
parents should bring up their children in the way of
righteousness and the fear of God
-gbò mkpà
be useful
-nò na mkpà
be in difficulty:
Anò m na mkpà I am in difficulty
oke mkpà
great need
mkpà 2.
n.
used in:
mkpà edè
room where cocoyams are stored
mkpa 1.
n.
scarcity; fewness (cf. ùkọ)
-kpa mkpa
be few, scarce
mkpa 2.
n.
used in:
mkpa ākwụkwọ
(shed) leaf, leaves
mkpa 3.
n.
used in:
-kpa mkpa
seek diligently
mkpà 1.
n.
forceps; tongs
mkpa akā
biceps
mkpà 2.
n.
holding; captivity; restriction; imprisonment (from -kpà 1.
grip)
189
kpà mkpà
capture; kidnap
mkpà n’aka
walking stick; staff (lit. what is held in hand)
mkpà ǹsịkō
cramp; pins-and-needles (= tịtaǹgwèlè)
mkpà 3.
n.
one stake full of yams tied in a barn
di mkpà
strong young man, originally one who could cultivate many
yams
mkpaàkịlịka
n.
small black millipede, usually seen on grass-thatched houses
after rain
mkpàkalakòm,
n.
centipede (smaller than esu/alịlị)
mgbàkalakòm
mkpàkànà
n.
steel trap (= ọnyà igwè)
mkpàla 1.
n.
cane, e.g. midrib of mkpàla egbò, the boundary tree
Dracaena fragrans (Linn.) Ker-Gawl.
mkpàla 2.
n.
(also ute mkpàla) type of mat which can be used for building
ìgbùdù or as shelter (= ute Ādo)
mkpalị
n.
insult; abuse
ife mkpalị
scorn; mockery; disrespect
okwu mkpalị
insulting word
mkpi
n.
he-goat
mkpiliīte
n.
small wooden mortar used for grinding pepper
mkpìlìkpì
n.
fragment, small piece, stump (of something long, e.g. snake,
yam, etc.)
nwa mkpìlìkpì
very small; short
nwa mkpìlìkpì ogè
moment: minute; very short time
mkpìlìsì
n.
shortness; broken portion
mkpìlìsì osisi
stump of tree
mkpì
n.
section (as of seed or nut)
mkpịsī
n.
any object shaped like a ramrod with pointed tip; spike
mkpịsị akā
finger
mkpịsị, (mkpala)
ramrod
egbè
mkpịsị igwè
spoke (e.g. of bicycle)
mkpịsị ǹ
rib
mkpịsị (nnī)
spike used for bringing boiled pieces of yam or meat out of
the pot
mkpịsị ụkwū
toe
mkpogo,
n.
steep place; cliff
mkpogomkpo
mkpomkpo
n.
rubbish-heap; rubbish
mkpò
n.
small box; can
mkpò anwūlù
snuff-box
mkpò tanjele
special container for òtanjele
mkpō ūtabà
snuff-box
190
mkpọ
n. 1.
walking-stick
mkpọ
n. 2.
pole (= utum)
mkpọ àchàlà
bamboo pole
mkpọchi
n.
A. locking
B. button (from -kpọchi lock)
mkpọchi n’iru
anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)
mkpòdù
n.
kind of shrub
mkpọlō
n.
A. rod; bar
B. confinement; imprisonment
-tụ mkpọlọ
imprison:
A tūgo òyì m mkpọlọ My friend has been jailed:
ụnō mkpọlọ
prison
mkpòlògwùgwù,
n.
root
mkpòlògwù
-gba(do)
take root
mkpòlògwù
-gbamì mkpòlògwù
send roots deep
-gbanye
be rooted in; be connected with a place by birth
mkpòlògwù
-pu
take root
mkpòlògwùgwù
mkpọmkpọ
n.
A. broken-down object; ruinous, ruined, waste (wall, house):
Ǹkaà bù mkpọmkpọ ụnò This is a dilapidated house:
Oke mmàdù adīrọ èbi na mkpọmkpọ ụnò A great man
never lives in a dilapidated house
B. poor, despised, hopeless (of person)
mkpọmkpọ
a poor, despised, hopeless man:
mmàdù
Àdịrō m#àchọ kà mụ nà mkpọmkpọ mmàdù bìli n’òfu ụnò
I never want to live in the same house as a poor despised man
mkpọniiru
n.
anything fastened on forehead or in front of (something)
mkpu 1.
n.
loud cry; shout; call for help
-rì mkpu
cry out in horror
-ti mkpu
shout, call for help; raise the alarm
Ònye nà-èti mkpū? Who is shouting (for help)?
mkpu 2.
n.
A. ant-hill
B. termite
obì mkpū
queen termite
mkpu
n.
ceremonies performed for girls reaching puberty
mkpukè
n.
woman’s house, contrasted with the òbi of a man (= ùsokwū)
mkpukpu
n.
hunch (on back); lump
-kwà mkpukpu
be hunchbacked
mkpūlu
n.
mound of earth
191
-ma mkpūlu
make a bed of earth, mound
-tụ mkpūlu
make raised beds for planting
mkpumè
n.
stone; rock
mkpù
n.
small group (contrast ikpo):
Fâ kwù na mkpù na mkpù They are standing about in little
groups
mkpù ọfīa
small patch of bush left in middle of cleared area
mkpù
n.
carpenter's plane (-kpù 2. scrape)
mkpụkpọ
nail; peg (from -kpọ 3. nail)
mkpùkpò
n.
a ritual or dramatic chant or cry, esp. in the contexts below
-ti mkpùkpò
A. praise someone and remind him of what his forefathers did,
sometimes to encourage him to undertake new enterprises;
chant praise-poetry
B. in sorrow, praise the dead in mourning, usually by
someone close to the deceased
C. raise the alarm, as death (cf. -ti mkpu)
mkpụlū
n.
A. seed; fruit
mkpụlụ akū
palm kernel
mkpụlụ jī
seed-yam
mkpụlụ osè
seed of pepper
mkpụlụ osisi
fruit
-gha mkpụlū
sow seeds (broadcast)
-mì mkpụlū
bear fruit
ǹga mkpụlụ ọkà
life imprisonment (lit. imprisonment of grains of maize; from
idea that each year was represented by a single grain of maize)
B. (fig.) object of fruit or seed-like shape, e.g. pill, tablet
mkpụlụ amū
a smile
mkpụlụ amù
testicle
mkpụlụ anyā
eyeball
mkpụlụ egō
cowrie; coin; shilling
mkpụlụ mmīli
hail; drops of rain
mkpụlụ obì
heart; soul
anya mkpūlụ egō
eye with pupil whitened by disease
C. (fig.) fruit; seed; offspring; descendant:
Nwa ǹkaà dì kà mkpụlụ Èzènwiìlè This child looks like a
descendant of Ezenwiile
D. (fig.) fruit, result (of deed):
Ibè nò n’ime oke afụfụ, ọ bù mkpụlụ njō yā kà ọ nà-
àghọlụ Ibe is in great trouble; he is reaping the fruit of his sin
E. (fig.) individual
mkpụlụ ụbòsì
a day
F. (fig.) small number (out of large total number); handful:
Ò bù gịnī kpàtàlù o jì wèe bụlụ sòọsò mkpụlụ mmādù ìtọ
192
bìàlù ụkà n’ùtụtū à? Why is it that only three persons
attended the service this morning?
mkpụlụ ogè
few moments
òfu mkpụlū
only one
mkpùlù
n.
kind of bean - small and round. Unlike other beans, the plant
is a shrub and not a creeping plant
mkpụlù
n.
something roundish and smooth, e.g. shot-putt
mkpụlū jī
small yam, soft and roundish, usually eaten (= mgbafịlị)
mkpụmkpụ 1.
n.
shortness
mkpụmkpụ
short person
mmadù
mkpụmkpụ 2.
n.
a bare dry place
mkpùna
n.
hernia
mmā
n.
goodness; beauty; prosperity
mma ārụ
physical beauty
mmā mma
A. well
B. go well! safe journey! (greeting to a person returning
home)
àda mmā
A. fine daughter (used to praise a small girl)
B. female name
-chọ mmā
decorate; ornament
-dị mmā
be good, beautiful, well, satisfactory, friendly:
Ọ dì mmā It is good
Mụ nà yâ dì mmā He and I are friendly
-ka mmā
be better than
-ma mmā
be beautiful
mmà
n.
knife; sword; matchet
mmà awụsa
Hausa dagger
mmà ekwū
small kitchen knife
mmà iru naàbò
A. two-edged knife
B. unreliable person
mmā ògè
matchet; cutlass
mmà ọdū
saw
iru mmà
edge (of a knife)
-kpụ mmà
manufacture cutlass
-ma mmà
pierce or strike with a sword or hatchet; stab
-mị mmà
draw the sword or matchet
ọbọ mmà
sheath of knife
ọnụ mmà
edge of a sword
-so mmà
sharpen knife, matchet
-sù mmà
stab
m
n.
a measure (by container, of any size) (from - measure)
mmadù, mmadù,
n.
person; human being
193
madù
mmadù ìtọ
three persons:
Achò m mmadù ìtọ I need three persons
mmadū nkịtị
A. ordinary person; man in the street
B. a useless person
mmadū ōbụnà
everybody; any, every person
-gba mmadù
buy, pawn person
ìgwe mmadù
a large crowd
mkpọmkpọ
a poor, despised, hopeless man
mmadù
mkpụlụ mmadù
few people
mkpụmkpụ
a short person
mmadù
ngịlịga mmadù
stupid, hopeless person; ruffian
nkịlịka mmadù
rough, rascally person
nwa mmadù
freeborn person; well-behaved person
ògbugbu mmadù
manslaughter; murder
ògbu mmadù
A. "man-killer"; a much-coveted honour in the olden days
conferred on anyone who possessed a human head
B. murderer
oke mmadù
a man of great reputation
okpotokpo mmadù
huge person; person of big build
òli mmadù
cannibal
òra mmadù
the public; the people
ùwa mmadù
the world of men
-wò àchụ mādù
become man
mmakwu
n.
loop
mmanụ, mmanụ,
n.
oil, esp. palm oil
manụ
mmanụ anwū
honey
mmanụ òpàpa
groundnut oil
ịbà mmānụ
jaundice accompanied by pronounced coloration of the
eyeballs, fingernails and sometimes skin
-kpa mmanụ
buy oil
-kpe mmanụ
smear with oil
onye mmānụ
oil-seller
ponì mmānụ
cask, puncheon of palm oil
-te mmanụ
anoint with oil; paint, coat, smear with oil
mmanwụ,
n.
masquerade
mmanwụ, manwụ
ǹne mmanwụ
(at Nri) the highest women’s title, which elderly married
women of exemplary character are allowed to take and in
which the secret of the ritual mask is revealed (Onwuejeogwu
194
1974:177)
mmanya, mmanya,
n.
wine, esp. palmwine; any type of alcohol
manya
(mmanya) -gbu
be intoxicated by alcohol
mmanya nā-abà
(lit. wine that enters the eyes - mostly used in Bible)
n’anya
mmanya nkwū
wine from oilpalm
mmanya ōbubu
intoxicant
mmanya ògòlò
wine from raphia palm (ngwò)
(mmanya) -tụ
be drunk
ànì mmānya
dregs of wine
-gbà mmanya
make drunk
mmanya oyìbo
gin; imported wine or spirits
ikè mmānya
dregs
-kụ mmanya
mix wine
-la oke mmānya
drink to excess; get drunk
-nuta mmanya
buy native wine (e.g. palm wine)
onye mmānya
wine (usually palmwine) seller
òkìkà mmānya
ceremonial drinking; feast
òlaka mmānya
drunkard
mmeē
n.
blood (cf. òbàlà)
mmee mmee
red, reddish:
Ò gịnī kpatalụ anya gī jì wèlụ àcha mmee mmee Why are
your eyes red?
Kpòọlụ m#nwatà nwokē yi àfè mmee mmee Call me the boy
in the red shirt
-gba mmeē
bleed; shed blood
ònà mmēe
the variety of Dioscorea dumentorum which is white
mmilī, mmilī, milī
n.
water; rain
mmili alā
breast-milk
mmili ala efī
cow's milk
(mmilī) -gba
flow (of water)
(mmilī) -gbafùsị
flow to waste (of water)
(mmilī) -kwò
A. undergo a rush of people anxious to fetch water (of a
stream)
B. rush, flow rapidly (of waterway, stream)
(mmilī) -ma
A. (lit.) be beaten by rain:
Mmilī gà-àma gī ọ bụlụ nà ị nāba kịtāà Rain will beat you
if you leave now, i.e. You will be drenched if you leave now
B. (fig.) be in grave trouble; suffer grave loss
Chinēkè m! Mmilī àmaa m. Onye ēnyemaka ọ bù sòọsò ya
kà m nwèlù n’ùwà ànwụa! My God! I am done for. The only
helper I have in this world is dead!
195
mmili mmili
wet; damp; watery
-dị mmili mmili
be wet, damp, watery:
Kèdu ife kpātalụ nà ụnō à dì mmili mmili? Why is this
house so wet?
mmili ǹdà arò
the first rain in the year
mmili òlùlù
gathering of clouds before rain
mmili osisi
sap
mmili òzùzò
rain
mmili ōŋụŋụ
drinking water
mmili ōwụwa
coming out of underground water, flooding the land of that
area. An example is what sometimes occurs in buildings in
swampy areas, where water sometimes appears and floods the
floors
àfè mmīli
rain-coat
agụū mmīli
thirst
akụ mmili igwē
hail
àkpà nwaammīli
bladder
anya mmīli
tears
àrụ mmīli
stoutness; dropsy; fresh, plump body
-bụ ọnū mmīli
spit
-chedo mmilī
hold water
-chu mmilī
go to water
-dèsị mmilī
drip
-fe mmilī
A. drive away rain
B. sprinkle water
-gba anya mmīli
shed tears
-gbalù mmilī
defile, pollute water
-gba mmilī
pour water on (fainting or shocked persons as treatment)
-gbà mmilī
force to drink water (as primitive way of feeding baby, or by
pushing victim under water)
-gba mmili alā
contain breast milk; have flow of milk from the breast
-gwù mmilī
swim
ìkpele mmīli
bank of river
isi mmīli
source of a stream, river
-ku mmilī
scoop water out of a vessel
-kunye mmilī
bring water to
-kute mmilī
fetch water in a vessel
-kpọchi mmilī
turn off (i.e. lock, shut) tap
-kwọ mmilī
bale, dip up water with the hands
-kwọsa mmilī
A. throw water over (as in taking a shower)
B. wipe off water from floor, table, windscreen, or any wide
surface (larger quantity than -ficha; also -kwọcha)
mkpụlụ mmīli
hail; drops of rain
196
ògbu mmīli
deep water; the sea
òdọ mmīli
pond
ọnụ mmīli
spittle; saliva
-ra mmilī
make, produce rain
òra mmili
rain-maker
-ri mmilī
leak
-ru nwa mmīli
urinate
-sala mmilī
lap water (as dog)
-ta obì mmīli
be callous, wicked, determined
ùfèsị mmīli
across the stream, river, etc.; other side of the river, stream,
etc.
n’ùfèsị mmīli
on the other side of the river
ụgbọ mmīli
ship; boat; canoe
-zè(lụ) mmilī
shelter from rain
mmìkolo
n.
ferret
mmìmì
n.
small peppery fruit used as alternative to kola; the tree itself
mmùmù
n.
used in:
mmùmù ọnwa
A. star
B. firefly
mmụō, mmụō,
n.
A. spirit of the dead; ghost. The spirits of the dead are divided
mmọō, mmọō,
into good and evil:
mụō, mọō
Ajō mmadù bù ajō mmụō A wicked man makes a wicked
spirit. The good ones are:
a) ndị ìchìè good and successful men who leave children
behind, subdivided into ìchìè ukwu, the great ancestors, who
were ọzō titled men who founded the various hierarchies of
the extant lineages, and ìchìè ntà, the small ancestors, dead
untitled men with extra extant lineages:
b) ụmū āda the spirits of the dead married daughters of the
lineage. All good ancestors reincarnate in their lineage. The
evil ones are:
a) àkàloògòlì people who grew old without achieving
anything and die without having children; they cannot
reincarnate in their lineage, roam wild in the spirit world and
from time to time gain entry to the world of men to cause
confusion:
b) ekwensu the spirits of people who died ọnwụ ọjọō, i.e.
accidental or premature deaths or suicide; such spirits cannot
be reincarnated or reach the spirit land, but come back to earth
to cause other bad deaths:
c) ògbanje the spirits of children who die while young and
keep revisiting their mother's womb to repeatedly be reborn
and die (Onwuejeogwu 1974:89-99):
197
Mmụō lìe m#Let the ancestors consume me (if I do such a bad
thing)
mmụọ inyī
bad, unclean spirit
mmụọ ogonogo
'tall ghost', the most elderly and venerated form of the
incarnate dead (= egwugwu)
afụfụ mmụọ
A. punishment in underworld
B. very severe punishment or trouble
ajō mmụō
bad dead spirit
ànị mmụọ
lands of the dead; (Christian usage) hell
ego mmūọ
money ritually offered to the dead
ezē mmụō
king of underworld
-kpọ mụō
take mọō when assuming duties of ọkpala
-lọ mmụō
offer food to the ancestors; feast the dead
-na mmụō
die (euphemistic) (lit. return to the land of the spirits)
ndi mmụọ
the dead; the ancestors
ọkụ mmụọ
A. (Christian usage) hell fire
B. matches
ùwà ndi mmụọ
the world of spirits
B. masquerade (= mmanwụ)
mmụọ ebì ogwū
a masquerade with porcupine quills on the body
mmụọ ijelè
a graceful, elaborate masquerade
mmụō īkpo
a masquerade covered with ìkpo-bells
àfe mmọọ
mask of masquerader; masquerader's cloth
àwòlọ mmụọ
masquerade's mask
-kù mmụō
invite masquerader to a place (e.g. funeral)
-ma mmụọ
A. be initiated into the masqueraders' cult (and learn its
secrets)
B. (loosely) be initiated into secret cult
C. (loosely) be let into deep secret
òdogwu mmūọ
any type of masquerade with horned head (For other types of
masquerade, see àkàtaàkà, àtùmà, ìgbàdikē, ùlàgà)
C. Follows name of object (usu. plant) to denote a poisonous,
non-edible, degenerate, or abnormal variety, as opposed to the
non-poisonous, edible, normal kind
edē mmụọ
inedible plant similar to cocoyam
elo mmụọ
kind of poisonous mushroom
ùtabā mmụọ
kind of non-edible shrub resembling tobacco plant in
appearance and smell
mmụō 2.
n.
the first title, taken before ọzō
-chi mmụō
take the mmụō title
motò
n.
motor vehicle (E. motor)
(motò) -kwọpìà
be crushed (by motor vehicle)
mpàlà
n.
measure of length; stride
198
mpanaaka
n.
small native hand-lamp
mpe
n.
used in:
nwa mpe
very short, little, smallish (of human beings in particular, and
animals)
-pe mpe
be small, little
mpempe
n.
edge, hem (of cloth); pieces (of paper, cloth, etc.)
m
n.
horn
-sọ m
butt with the horns; compete
mpio
n.
hole(s) through the compound wall used as passage for
livestock, especially young ones, to and from the outside; or
to let surface water escape from compound or house
mpīa
n.
used in:
imi mpīa
nose partly or wholly destroyed by disease; depressed nostril
mpòmà
n.
matchet (cf. mmà)
mpū, mpu
n.
hold (in a bag, etc.); outlet (-pu 2. be perforated, have hole(s)
(cf. oghēle)
mpụ
n.
used in:
-kwu mpụ
talk at random
mpùm
n.
highway robbery
ndị mpùm
armed robbers
-mù
v.:
-mù mbọ
use nails on
-kwọmù
grind into small pieces
-tamù
bite into small pieces
mụ 1.
pron.
I; me (independent, 1st pers. sg.)
mụ nà gị
you and I
mụ nà isi m#
I myself (emphatic)
mụ nwà
I myself, me (emphatic)
-mụ 2.
give birth to; beget
òmụmụ
birth
-mụkwo
give birth prematurely
-mụpùta
bring forth; give birth to
ndị mūlụ
parents
òmụgwò
birth feast; period from immediately after a woman’s safe
delivery to about 3 months later, during which she is confined
to home and does not go to market
òmùlù nwa
interest (on capital)
-mụ + 3.
v.:
-mụ amụ
laugh at
-mụ 4.
v.
sharpen
òmụmụ
sharpening
-mụ mmà
sharpen a sword, knife, matchet
-mù 1.
v.
learn; study
199
òmùmù
learning
-mù akwụkwọ
study (lit. study book):
Anà m èje Òbòdò Oyìbo ịmù etu esì ebì akwụkwọ I am
going to the United Kingdom to study printing
-mùta
learn
onye mmùta
scholar; pupil
-mù 2.
v.
shine
òmùmù
shining; brightness
-mù àmùmà
lighten (of lightning)
-mùlụ ọkụ
light from (fire, etc.)
-mùnye
light (a lamp)
-mù ọkụ
kindle light
-mùsị
glitter; shine
-mụ-mù, -mu-mù,
v.
hum; murmur:
-mụ-mù
Amārọ m ịfe nā-amụmù n’ime ụnò I don’t know what is
humming in the room
m
n.
sieve (- sieve)
N.
n’
see nà 1.
-na 1.
v.
A. go home; go away (finally)
ònịna
going home; leaving
-na àzụ
lag; dawdle:
Ọlụ m#nà-àna āzụ My work is lagging
-naba
go home
nàba!
go home!
-nabà
go to bed
-na be dī
A. (of woman just married) marry; go to husband's house:
Ọ gà-àna be dī n’ọnwa ōzọ She will be married next month
B. go, return to husband or husband's house
-nachìgha
return home
-nafè
go abroad
-nafù
go and not come back
nàa gboo
farewell (to those expected to return)
-nakọ ànakọ
go homewards
-nakpu
go in
-nakwulu
go home to (someone)
-namì
go to an uncertain destination
-na mmụō or -na
die (euphemistic) (lit. return to the land of the spirits)
ànị mmụọ
200
-nanarị
escape from; go away from
-nata
return (home):
Kèdu ụbòsì ị gà-ànata? What day will you return?
-na n’iyì
become useless, spoilt; be ruined:
Ife o mè nà n’iyì What he has done is useless
B. go away, heal (of sore, cut, etc.)
ònịna
healing:
Ọnya m#ànago My cut has healed
-na 2.
v.
receive; take; take by force:
Òne kà ọ nà-àna n’ọnwa? How much does he earn a month?
ònịna
taking; receiving
-na akwụkwọ isī
pay tax (lit. take tax-receipt)
-nachìgha
receive back; recover
-nado
contain; retain; accommodate
-nalụ
receive; take
-napùga
save; redeem
Onye Nnapùga Redeemer (cf. Onye Nzọpùta)
-napùta
snatch out; snatch away; deliver
-napùta okwu
force someone to speak out
-nata
receive
-nata letà
receive letter
-na ụgwō
receive salary, wages, etc.
-na ùtụ
exact tax
-na 3.
aux.v.
marks the progressive and habitual verb forms:
Chikē nà-àbịa Chike is coming (progressive)/(usually) come
(habitual):
Chikē gà na-àbịa Chike will be coming (future habitual):
Chikē gà na-ègogo jī Chike will/must have been (habitually)
buying yams:
Na-èbi òfụma Goodbye (lit. keep on living well):
-na 4.
infl. suff.
(-naà when in final position after non-low tone) negative
commands:
Ejēna ozi à Don’t go on this errand:
Ejēnaà Do not go
1.
prep.
(before a vowel written as n’; tone is basically low, but
assimilates to a following high tone vowel) at; in; to; from:
Anò mmbalā I am outside:
Ebì m nà Kanò I live in Kano:
Àdâ nò n’ime ụnò Ada is inside the house
n’aka ebē
as a pledge, surety:
Jìde akwụkwọ à n’aka ebē Take this book as a pledge
n’ànì
on the ground
ǹkịtị
in vain; for nothing:
201
Ife o mè bù nà ǹkịtị What he has done is in vain
ǹtụmādị
suddenly; unexpectedly
n’àzụ
behind; in the absence of
n’ebe à
here; at this place
n’enū
above; upon; on top of
n’ètitì
amidst; in the middle of
n’ezi okwū
(shortened to n’eziī): in truth; really; in reality; indeed; truly
n’ùsòlò n’ùsòlò
in order; one after the other
n’ụnò
at home; in the house; within (the house)
n’ùsọ
beside; by the side of
n’ùzọ ūtụtù
in the early morning
-si nà
come from
2.
conj.
that:
Ọ sì nà fâ bù èjìma She said that they are twins
3.
conj.
and:
Mụ nà gị You and I
naàbò
num.
two (qualifying form, cf. ìbùọ)
naanō, naanò
num.
four (qualifying form, cf. ìnọ)
naasāà
num.
seven (qualifying form, cf. ìsaà)
naasātọ
num.
eight (qualifying form, cf. ìsatō)
naātọ
num.
three (qualifying form, cf. ìtọ)
-na-ghà, -na-rà
v.
prevent; hinder; restrain
-naghà ntì
refuse to listen; act wilfully:
Ọ naghà ntì wèe me ife à He did this thing wilfully
-naghà okwu
interrupt
-na-lụ
v.
win; be correct; (of statement) agree with statement or
information previously made:
Ọ nààlù gị You are correct
nànwụledè,
n.
wild cat; genet
ùnànwụledè,
nànwụlụ,
ùnànwụlụ
-na-rị 1.
ext. suff. 1
more than; surpassing
-gbanarị
surpass in running
-sonarị
surpass in growth:
Àda gà-èsonarị nwa nnē ya nwokē ogō Ada will grow taller
than her brother
-na-rị 2.
ext. suff. 1
away from
-fenarị
fly away from:
Egbe afù èfenarịgo m#The hawk has flown away from me
(from my grip, or from where I kept it confined)
-gbanarị
run away from (something); abscond from (something,
someone):
202
Nkịtā m zùtàlù ǹnyàafù àgbanarịgo m#The dog I bought
yesterday has run away (from me)
-nanarị
go away from
nàịrà
n.
naira
nchà 1.
n.
soap
nchà ngù
local soap
-gbu nchà
soap oneself
nchà 2.
n.
curdled oil preparation for eating certain foods like yam,
plantain, shredded cassava, etc. It is prepared by crushing
some quantity of potash stone, àkanwụ, or pouring some
liquid ngù into oil, and stirring it till the oil thickens and
curdles. Some condiments are added and the preparation is
used as stew
ǹcha 1.
quant.
all; altogether; entirely
fa ncha
all of them (cf. fa niīne)
ǹcha
not at all; none (used with negative)
mgbè ǹcha
always; at all times
ǹcha ncha
not at all:
Àgarō m ịpù n’ụnò ǹcha ncha I shall not leave the house at
all
ogè ǹcha
always; at all times
ụnù ǹcha
all of you; you all
ǹcha 2.
n.
used in:
ǹcha ọcha
fish (Tilapia zilii (cf. ìkpoòkpò)
nchāla
n.
rust
-gba nchāla
rust; corrode
-ta nchāla
be rusty
ǹche
n.
keeping; saving; watching over; vigil (-che 1. watch)
-che ǹche
keep watch, vigil:
Ọ nò nà ǹche He is on guard
ǹche ānwụ
sunshade; umbrella
ndi nche
the guards
ndi nche òbòdò
A. the town or village guards
B. the police
onye nche
watchman
Òrànàǹche male name (lit. All at watch)
ụkā nche
watchnight service (e.g. that held on eve of Christmas, New
Year, etc.)
nchebe
n.
preservation; keeping (from -chebe preserve, keep)
ǹchì
n.
cane rat, cutting grass; "grasscutter" (Thryonomys
swinderianus)
ǹchìchè
n.
venereal disease which eats off the nose (stage of syphilis)
ǹchịcha
n.
disease causing skin to turn yellow; blasting or withering of
203
vegetation
ǹchìkwịnìkwịnì
n.
dried latex from rubber tree or ụdalà (so called from sound
when chewed)
ǹchòlòkòtò
n.
board game with twelve holes, sometimes dug in the earth,
played by two persons with nuts, seeds or small stones
ǹchụ
n.
hat (cf. òkpu)
ǹdàlàgwùgwù
n.
valley
ndàma ndàmi
n.
trial; temptation (from -dàma fall up and down, here and
there)
ǹdamanya
n.
laziness
-da ǹdamanya
be lazy; malinger; loaf about
ndasì
n.
tumbler
ǹ 1.
n.
sickly, delicate condition
-dè ǹ
be sickly, delicate:
Ọ nà-edē ǹHe is sickly
ǹ 2.
n.
disappearance; charm giving one the power to be invisible:
Dibìa à nà-àgwọ ǹThis dibịa can prepare a charm for
vanishing
-dè ǹ
disappear:
Dibìa à nà-edē ǹThis dibịa has the power of disappearing
ǹdèelī
n.
midnight
ǹdeèwo!
int.
common salutation of welcome or thanks
ǹdele
n.
rod; large staff
ǹdele igwè
iron rod used for fighting
ǹdèlè
n.
line; row; track
-kpụ ǹdèlè
make track
ndene
n.
properly
ndepùta
n.
A. writing out
B. edition
ndepùta ochīè
old edition
ndepùta ọfụū
new edition:
Ndepùta ọfụū akwụkwọ ǹkaà apùtago There is a new
edition of this book
ndi
see ndị
ǹdìdì
n.
A. patience; perseverance
-dì ǹdìdì
be patient
onye ǹdìdì
patient person:
Proverb: Onye ǹdìdì nà-èli azū ūkpoò The patient man eats
hook-killed fish
B. personal name
ndị, ndi
n.
nation; people, those (plural of onye)
ndị à
these:
Akwà ndị à bụ òke ǹkè m These clothes are my share
204
ndị afù
those
ndị aghā
soldiers; warriors
ndi be
household; people of the house; fellow townsfolk
ndi gboo
the ancients
ndị īchiè
chiefs, titled persons (alive or departed)
ndi ikènyà
elders; grown men; principal men
ndị ikpē
the judges
ndi isī
chiefs, headmen
Ndi Isi Ōji
the Africans
ndi ìsì
blind people
ndị kọtùma
court-messengers
ndị mbụ nà ndị
the ancestors
àbò
ndị mmụọ
dead people (spirits)
ndị mpùm
highwaymen; robbers; bandits
ndị mūlụ
parents
ndị nche atụlū
shepherds
ndị ǹkè nya
his own people
ndị nkịtị
common people
ndị ntā
hunters
ndị nwufù
those yonder
ndinyom
women; females
ndi ochiè
the ancients
Ndi ōji
Africans; black people
ndị okènyè
elders
ndi orī
rogues; highwaymen
ndi orù
slaves
ndi ōsu
people owned by deities; outcasts
ndị ozī
messengers; the apostles
ndị ọkù
fishermen
ndị ọnwò
some people
ndi ōta ōjị
nickname used only by the Igbo to describe the Yoruba
ndị òyì
friends
ndi Ukà
the Christians
ndị ùlà
deceivers; cunning people
ùwà ndi mmọọ
the world of spirits
ùwà ndi oyìbo
luxurious pleasure-loving way of life or living; extravagant
life (lit. the world of the white people)
ǹdìdà
n.
down-river; the South; low-lying country
Ọgbe Ǹdìdà
a village in Onitsha Inland Town
ǹdìlì
n.
row; line
ndò
n.
kind of pigeon
ǹdo
int.
salutation of sympathy
205
ǹ
n.
shade; shadow
-che ǹ
give shade
òche ǹ
anything giving shade
ǹdodo
n.
horizontal house-beam
ndokwa
n.
settlement; peace; pacification (-dokwa make peace)
ǹdoò
int.
goodbye (to people one is leaving
ǹdu
n.
leadership; guidance
onye ndu
leader; guide:
Ònyê bù onye ndu fa? Who is their leader?
ǹ
n.
animal tick sp. (àkà) found on rats and Kemp's Gerbil
ǹdudù
n.
electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus) (= èlùlù)
ndù
n.
A. life
Ndùbeezè (Ndù bụ ezè) male name (lit. life is greatest, or life
is king: i.e. to be able to do or be anything, life is the first
precondition)
Ndùbiisi (Ndù bụ
male name (lit. life is the head)
isi)
Ndùbụàkù
male name (lit. life is wealth)
ndùdùgandù
generation
ndù ebè èbè
everlasting life:
Chinēkè dì ndù ebè èbè God is everlasting
(ndù) -gụ
want to live
-dị ndù
be alive:
Adì m ndù I am alive
ezi ndù
health
ogonogo ndù
long life
-tụ ndù
breathe slowly, faintly, with difficulty (as one dying)
-tụlụ, -tụnye ndù
revive; refresh
-tụte ndù
wake up; make alive; revive; refresh; resuscitate
-zè ndù
be afraid of; avoid (from fear); be beware of; fear for one's life
-zọ ndù
save life
B. state of being living, raw, fresh, green, uncooked:
Ọ nà-èli ji ndù He is eating raw yam:
Ọ nà-àta akwụkwọ ndù He is eating fresh leaves (as opposed
to dry ones)
azù ndù
fresh fish
-dị ndù
be raw, fresh, uncooked, etc.
ǹdụdụ
n.
fork, skewer of iron or wood for taking yam, etc., from
cooking-pot
ndùdùgandù
n.
generation ( ndù, life)
ndùdùgandū ǹke
third generation
ītọ
ndùdùgandū ǹke
fourth generation
206
īnọ
ndụmì, ndumì
n.
framework of roof
ndumì ụnò
framework of roof (before thatching or fixing the sheets)
ǹdùmòọdụ
n.
advice; counsel; warning (-dù ọdụ advise)
-nye ǹdùmòọdụ
give counsel, advice
-sò ǹdùmòọdụ
follow advice
-ne 1.
v.
look at
ònine
looking
-ne anya
behold; look (at); gaze at; look after; mind
-nebà
look into
-nedà
despise
nnedà
contempt
-nedo
look at closely; study; spy
-nedụ
keep quiet, still
-nefe
look after; serve; wait upon
-nefè anya
connive at; wink at
-nefèga anya
overlook; neglect
-nefù anya
look aside; neglect; connive at
-nega
A. visit
B. see afar off
-negalụ
visit and look after sick person
nnegalụ
nursing a sick person (on casual visit)
-nekọta
supervise; be in charge
nnekọta
supervision
-nekpọ anya
take a good look
-nekwàsị anya
look upon; look again
-nene
watch; examine
-nenì
disregard; despise
Nnwatà nwokē afù nà-ènenì okwū m The boy ignores my
words
nnenì
contempt; disregard
-nenye anya
look into
-nepù
look for; seek
-neta
visit (esp. bereaved or sick)
nneta
visit (esp. to bereaved or sick)
-neta anya
regard; have respect for
-netị anya
look ahead
-netù anya
look downwards; look down on
-nezi anya
beware; look out; be cautious
ǹne anyā
a glance, look:
Ị chọọ ịmā ife ọ nà-ème òfu nne anyā ezùgolụ gī If you want
to know what he is doing, a glance is sufficient for you
-ne 2.
v.
entertain; reward
207
-ne ọbìà
entertain a stranger; be hospitable
-ne ọlụ
reward; pay (wage):
Ọ gà-ène fā ọlụ He will reward them for their work
neesè
num.
five (alternative qualifying form of ìse)
ngā
n.
gag; bit; iron bar
ngā àgbà
the gag used for a dead person
ǹga
n.
imprisonment
ǹga Àràbà
(fig.) heavy punishment (from the first prison yard at Asaba):
Ndị mmūọ tìnyèlì yà nà ǹga The ancestors inflicted lifelong
punishment (i.e. lingering sickness) on him
ǹga mkpụlụ ọkà
life imprisonment
ǹga ọlụ ikē
imprisonment with hard labour:
A tùlù ya ǹga ọlụ ikē He was imprisoned with hard labour
onye nga
prisoner
ụnō nga
prison-yard
ǹgaā
v.
have it; take:
Ǹgaā egō Have some money
ngàdàbà
n.
branch (of tree):
Kòbe akwà gị na ngàdàbà osisi afū dī n’òbi Hang your
cloth on the branch of that tree in the court
ǹgàjì
n.
spoon
ngàla
n.
pride
-gàla ngàla
be proud
onye ngàla
proud person
ǹgàlì
n.
bribe
-li ǹgàlì
take bribe
ngalịga
see ngịlịga
ǹgàmàsù
n.
native court
ǹganā
n.
laziness
onye ngana
lazy person
nganga 1.
n.
slim; slim in build
nganga 2.
see ngịlịga
ǹǹ
n.
arrogance; rudeness; insolence; pride
-kpa ǹǹ
be arrogant, insolent, rude:
Àchọrō m ịfū nwatà afū nā-akpa ǹgàngà I don’t want to see
that arrogant boy
ǹgedelegwu,
n.
xylophone (basket-work over pot, with two bars)
ǹgedegwū
ǹgènè
n.
water welling from a spring
ọnụ ǹgènè
(place of a) spring of water
ǹgìgè
n.
fence; hedge; rope marking off or enclosing a place
-gè ǹgìgè
cordon round with rope
ǹgị
pron.
(emphatic; 2nd pers.sg.) you (singular); thou; thee:
208
(Ọ) ǹgị kà mụ nà-àgwa It is you I am talking to
ǹgị nà ònwe gī
you yourself (emphatic)
ǹgị nwà
you yourself
ngīga
n.
round basket, often used for smoke-curing of fish, keeping
pepper, ògìlì, etc.; usually kept in or suspended from ùko over
the fire-place
ǹgịlị
n.
used in:
ngịlị, ǹgịlị afō
intestines; bowels
ngìlìgò
crooked (of road)
ngịlịga, ngalịga,
n.
ragged; contemptible (cf. nkịlịka)
nganga
ngịlịga akwà
rag; ragged cloth
ngịlịga mmādù
stupid, hopeless person; ruffian:
Bikō akpōkwọna Òfọ àbịa bē m màkà nà adī m àchọ ịfū
ngịlịga mmādù be m#Please never visit my home in the
company of Ọfọ because I resent the presence of ruffians in
my home
ngo
n.
money, reward received for services rendered; bribe
-go ngo
give a present, reward
-li ngo
receive money, reward, or bribe for services
òkpụ īsi elī ngo
ringworm of the head (tinea capitis) (lit. barber who receives
no pay)
ngō
n.
upper part, place:
Anà m àgbago ngō I am going upwards
ngòli
n.
exultation; rejoicing (-gòli rejoice)
ngongo
n.
steep place
ngò
n.
bride-wealth; deposit paid to wife's family which is refunded
in the event of a divorce and remarriage
-fieta ngò
receive back bride-price from wife's relations
-gba ngò
reckon up bride-price
-kwụ ngò
pay bride-price:
Ànyị nà-èje ịkwū ngò nnwa èzè m nà-àkwadebe ịnū We are
going to pay the bride-price of the princess I am preparing to
marry
òkwụkwụ ngò
payment of bride-price
ngò 2.
n.
crookedness; bend
-gba ngò
be bent, crooked
ǹgọ 1.
n.
bribe:
Ọ nàlù yà ǹgọ wèe wèlụ yā n’ọlụ He took a bribe from him
before giving him a job
-li ngọ
accept a bribe
ǹgọ 2.
n.
doubt
-si ǹgọ
doubt (obstinately)
209
òsi ngọ
doubter
ǹǹ 1.
n.
stumbling; staggering
-sọ ǹǹ
stumble; stagger:
Òyì gị nwaànyì gà-àkpatalụ gī ịsō ǹǹYour girlfriend
will cause you to stumble
ǹǹ 2.
n.
joy; gladness
-tụ ǹǹ
rejoice (usu. of women)
ngọzi
n.
A. blessing (-gọzi bless)
B. male and female name
ngu
n.
long stick with hooked end for plucking fruits; crook
ngùgù, ngwùgwù
n.
780 large cowries = 13 ùkwù
ǹgùgù
n.
ribs; lungs; loins; waist
mkpịsị ǹ
rib
ngwa
n.
haste; swiftness
ngwa ngwa
quickly
ǹgwe
n.
grinder; apparatus, machine for grinding (-gwe grind)
ǹgwèlè
n.
lizard (general term, including olubulu, but esp. the common
agama lizard (Agama agama Linn.); cf. okpodi, which refers
only to the male agama)
ǹgwèlè anwū
"iguana"; monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus Linn.)
ngwò 1.
n.
raphia palm (Raphia hookeri Mann and Wendl.); wine from
the raphia palm (= ògòlò)
akwalā ngwò
fibre of stem of ngwò
mmanya ngwò
raphia palm wine
ose ngwò
raphia palm wine tapped from raphia palms at the river or
stream bank
ngwò 2., ụgwò
n.
kind of skin disease; eczema (Yoruba ifo)
ǹgwò
n.
period of òmụgwò (seclusion following birth of a child);
observation of òmụgwò
ǹgwòlùǹgwọlụ,
n.
(slang) food prepared by mashing together different kinds of
ǹgwòlùǹgwọ
food (e.g. akpụ a gwōlụ agwọ - shredded cassava mashed
with ụkwà or òkwè)
ǹgwu
n.
tool for digging out yams (-gwu 1. dig)
ǹgwu ànì
tool for digging; digger
ngwùgwù 1.
n.
parcel; bundle
ngwùgwù nnū
block, parcel of salt
ngwùgwù 2.
see ngùgù
ǹgwùlù
n.
compound (of a dwelling)
ǹgwụ
n.
type of bat found in ceilings (not edible)
ngwụcha
n.
end (-gwụcha end)
ngwụcha arò
end of year
ǹgwụlō
n.
cripple; lame person:
Ǹgwụlō adīrọ àgba ọsō A lame person never runs
210
Òyì m nwokē adàgo ngwụlọ My friend has become crippled
(fig.) lazy, powerless, person:
Ǹgwụlō kà ị bù Powerless person that you are!
-dà ǹgwụlō
be lame
-gwọ ǹgwụlō
sit with the legs drawn up (like a lame person, usually on the
floor)
-kù ǹgwụlō
sit on floor with legs crossed:
Akùzìnà ǹgwụlō n’iru onye ọbìà Stop sitting cross-legged in
the presence of the stranger
-ni
v.
put in a place; tie up (animals, canoes, etc.)
-nibe
lay down, put down (child, sick person, corpse, etc.)
-nido
tether (an animal)
-ninye
lay down
-nì
v.
bury
ònìnì
burying
-nìnye
bury
-nì ozu
bury corpse:
Enìgo m#ozu nkịtā m nwūlụ ǹnyàafù I have buried the body
of my dog which died yesterday
inì
grave
niī
v.
Take it! Here! (in offering something)
niīne
quant.
all; every
èkpè niīne
always; at all times
fa niīne
all of them
mgbè niīne
at all times; every time
ụnù niīne
all of you
ùwà niīne
all over the world
-ni-ri
v.
rise up; start; depart
-niri ọtọ
stand up
-nì 1.
v.
despise, overlook, endure (e.g. insult); forgive:
Anà m anì mkpalị I overlook insults
Anìgo m#ife ọjọō i mèlù m n’ọnwa gālụ aga I have forgiven
you your offence of last month:
Anà m anì ọnwụ nnē m I am enduring the death of my
mother
Proverb: E nenìa nwiìtè ò gbọnyụa ọkū If a small pot is
despised it will bubble over with boiling water and extinguish
the fire
-nì 2.
ext. suff. 1
describes a shrivelled or wrinkled state
-dọnì
be tough, fibrous (like meat or tendon, ligament, etc.):
Anụ ị nyelụ m#mè ndọnì The piece of meat you gave me is
tough
-fenì
be shrivelled; shrivel
211
-kwụnì
be tough:
Ọsè m zòlù n’ugbō ǹnyàafù èfenìgo The pepper I
transplanted in the farm yesterday has shrivelled up
ǹja
n.
brass leg spiral (no longer worn)
ǹjàkìlì
n.
friendly joking
ǹje
n.
mosquito larva
ǹjè, ǹm
n.
journey; going (-je 1. go)
njenje
n.
any type of 'hot drink' (spirits)
ǹǹ
n.
travelling, walking, wandering aimlessly:
Anà m àkaba ārụ ịgwā òyì m nwokē kà ọ kwụsị ijē ǹǹ
màkà nà ǹǹjè abàrò ulù I have been trying my best to
persuade my friend to stop gadding about because gadding
about does not bring any gain
Ubòsì òje ǹǹje jèkwùdòlù ife ọjọō kà ọ gà àkwụsị ǹǹ
The day a person who is fond of wandering around runs into
trouble he will stop wandering around
ǹji
n.
blackness; darkness (-ji 3. be black)
-ji nji
be black, dark:
Igwē nà-èji nji The sky looks black
Àdâ jìnàrìlì Ọjì ǹji Ada is darker than Ọjị (in complexion)
njìnà
see ejùnà
ǹjọ
n.
evil; badness; wickedness; sin
afọ njọ, afọ njō
unkindness
-jọ ǹjọ
be bad, wicked, evil, ugly; refuse to share (esp. food):
Ọ dì ǹjọ It is bad
onye njọ, onye njō
sinner; miserly, niggardly person
ǹju
n.
one full measure
ǹju āka
handful:
Tìnye nnu nju akā naàbò n’ime ofe afù Put two handfuls of
salt into that soup
ǹju īko
cupful:
Bikō mànyelụ m#ǹju īko gàrị naàbò Please measure out two
cupfuls of garri for me
ǹju ōnụ
mouthful
njùnà
see ejùnà
nka
n.
old age; oldness
-ka nka
tear; decay; grow old; wear out
ǹ
n.
art:
Ǹkà adīrọ n’ife ọ pìlì There is no art in what he carved
onye ǹ
craftsman; skilled workman; artist; sculptor; designer
ǹkaà
this (assimilated form of ǹke à)
ǹkaà nụnwà
this (particular) one
arò ǹkaà
this year
212
ǹkakwū
n.
Musk Shrew (Crocidura spp.), a small, sharp-nosed creature
which feeds on insects and protects itself with an obnoxious
smell
nkàta
n.
conversation (from - 4. speak)
-kpa nkàta
converse
ǹkàtà
n.
A. round basket
-kpà ǹkàtà
make, weave basket
B. type of fish-trap
ǹ
n.
that of x
ǹke à, ǹkaà
this (one)
ǹkè afù, ǹkàafù
that (one)
ǹke ātọ
(the) third
ǹke ānyị
our; ours
ǹkè fa, ǹkè fa nwà
their; theirs
ǹkè i, ǹkè gị
your (sg.); yours; thy; thine
ǹkè irū
the one to come, expected
ǹkè irū kà
A. that to come is greater
B. female name
ǹke ìzìzì
first
ǹke ìbùa
(the) second
ǹke īsaà
(the) seventh
ǹke īsatọ
(the) eighth
ǹke ītọ
(the) third
ndùdùgandū ǹke
third generation
ītọ
ǹkè m, ǹkè mụ nwà
mine; my own
ǹke mbụ
(the) first
ǹke òne ndị
whose? (pl.)
ǹke ōnye
whose?
ǹke òbụnà
whichever; either
ǹke ōzọ
the other
ǹkè ụnù
your (pl.); yours
ǹkè ya, ǹkè nya
his; her; hers; its
nwà
ndị ǹkè nya
his own people
onye ǹ
relation; supporter
nkekele
n.
shell
nkekele ejùnà
snail-shell
nkekele mbè
shell of tortoise
nkenke
n.
shortness
-bì nkenke
cut short (a speech)
nwa nkenke
very short
ǹkenū
n.
small bird which nods its head
213
ǹ
n.
face or body mark; tattoo
-dọ ǹ
cut face, body marks; tattoo
-tù ǹ
cut face, body marks; tattoo
nkịlịka
n.
raggedness; contemptible state (more used to refer to people
than ngịlịga)
nkịlịka akwà
rag
nkịlịka mmādù
rough, rascally person
nkịlịsị
n.
used in:
òlòma nkịlịsị
lime (lit. small orange)
nkịtā
n.
dog
nkịta ọfīa
tree bear or Ashanti tree-hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis
sylvestris Temm.)
nkịtì
n.
silence
-gbachi nkịtì
keep silence; refrain from answering; endure
-gba nkịtì
be silent; endure (an insult, provocation)
ǹkịtị
n.
nothing; simple, common, ordinary, good-for-nothing thing or
person
ife nkịtị
nothing; useless, contemptible thing
mmadū nkịtị
A. ordinary person; man in the street
B. a useless person
ǹkịtị
in vain; for nothing
ndị nkịtị
common people
-tọgbò ǹkịtị
be empty, desolate, neglected
ǹ
n.
hook (- 2. hook)
ǹkò ụzò ajā
hook attached to window to keep it steady and prevent the
glass from being shattered by the wind
nkonko, okoko
n.
empty container
nkonko isī
the skull
nkọ 1.
n.
sharpness; intelligence; nimbleness; acuteness
aka nkō
handy; quickhanded
nkọ 2., ǹkọ
n.
side:
Dinā nkọ Lie on your side
ǹ
n.
tool with curved edge for hollowing out a canoe
nkọwa
n.
explanation (-kọwa explain)
ǹ 1.
n.
A. wing of bird; fin of fish; projecting part of body
B. barb of a hook or spear
ǹkù akā
elbow
ǹkù anyā
eyebrow (= ìkù anyā)
ǹkù irū
forehead
-ti ǹ
flap wings
ǹ 2.
n.
used in:
ǹkù umē
breath (-kù ume breathe)
nkụ
n.
wood; dry wood; firewood
214
(àkpịlī) -kpọ nkụ
be intensely thirsty
azù nkụ
stockfish (cf. okpòloko)
ibe nkū
plank; piece of wood
ibelibe nkū
splinter
-kpa nkụ
fetch firewood
-kpọ nkụ
to dry up:
Akwụkwọ afù àkpọgo nkū The leaf has dried up
okpì nkū
hard wood
onye nkū
wood-cutter or gatherer
òkpụkpọ nkụ,
drought; dryness
òkpụkpọ nkū
ònòkò nkū
half-burnt piece of wood
ùkwù nkū
bundle of firewood
nkụzi
n.
teaching; instruction
onye nkụzi
teacher
onye nkụzi ụkà
church teacher; catechist
nkwà 1.
n.
promise:
Nkwà kà ọ bù It is a promise
-kwe nkwà
make promise; give pledge:
Ọ kwèlù m nkwà He promised me
-me nkwà
keep, fulfil a promise
nkwà 2.
n.
drum
Ǹkwọ 2.
n.
Igbo market day following Àfò, personified as an alūsị:
Echi bù Ǹkwọ Tomorrow is Nkwọ
Otu Nkwọ Onitsha main market
ǹkwọ 2.
n.
grater (-kwọ 1. grate)
nkwụ
n.
oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.); palm wine from nkwụ
nkwụ enū
"up-wine" from crown of nkwụ
àkpa nkwū
A. grub found on palm tree and in decaying palm trunk
B. palm fronds; long broom prepared from palm fronds, used
for sweeping outside
arụrụ nkwū
earwig
mmanya nkwū
wine from oil palm
-te nkwụ
tap oil palm for wine
ǹla
n.
kind of children’s ailment (rash); tinea carcinata (cf. òkpụ īsi
tinea capitis)
nlò
n.
softness
-gba nlò
be soft, watery (esp. of food)
obì nlò
tenderness
nlọ
n.
dream
-lò nlọ
dream a dream:
Alòlù m kà Èjìma bīalụ I dreamt that Ejima arrived
nlọgò
n.
crookedness; bend; winding, sinuous, tortuous condition
215
(from -lọgò be bent)
nnà
n.
father
nnǎ dī
father-in-law (more personal and affectionate than nnā dī):
Nnǎ dī m gà-àzụtalụ m#ife n’Ònìchà o jèlù My father-in-law
is going to buy me a present from Ọnịcha
nnā dī
(more formal than nnǎ dī) father-in-law:
Nnā dī m àbịago ịfū di m#àrụ nà-esògbu My husband's
father has come to see my sick husband
nnà egwū
patron (of dancing society)
nnà milichukwu
godfather
nnà ochīè
mother's father; ancestor
nnà ukwu
master; employer; boss
àda nne nnà
paternal aunt
afà nnà
father's name
àkù nnà
patrimony
nwa nnà
brother, sister (not of the same mother); relative; blood
relation
nwunyè nnà
stepmother
ụmù nnà
half-brothers and/or sisters; relatives (viewed collectively);
family; extended family
ǹ 1.
n.
miserliness; closefistedness; meanness; niggardliness;
stinginess; selfishness
-kpa ǹ
be miserly:
Ndi nā-akpā ǹnà adīrọ ènwe òyì Miserly people hardly have
friends
onye ǹ
miser
ǹ 2.
n.
fish weevil
ǹnàgbuledè
n.
wild cat
nne
n.
A. mother
nne dī
husband's mother
nne egwū
patroness of a dancing-club, musical group, etc.
nne milichukwu
godmother
nne nnà
paternal grandmother
nne nnē
maternal grandmother
nne nwunyè
mother-in-law
nne ochīè
maternal grandmother
nne ukwu
mistress; manageress; female head or director
àda nne nnà
paternal aunt
àda nne nnē
maternal aunt
ikwu nnē
one's mother's home town
B. mature female (of animal); contrast nwunyè, immature
female animal:
Azùtàlù m nne ewū n’afịa Àfò Nnoòbì n’ụbòsì àfọ gālụ àga
216
I bought one female goat at the Afọ Nnoobi market last Afọ
market day
nnē
n.
many; plenty
-ri nnē
be many, much, numerous, plentiful, plenty; be abundant,
very much
-ru nnē
grow (of tuber); grow to be more than average size (of tuber)
nnekwu, nnekwū
n.
hen
nnekwu ọcha
white hen
ǹnekwu, ǹnukwu,
n.
size; bigness; importance; (nnē + ukwu):
nnekwū, nnukwū
Mmadū à dì ǹnukwu This man is big/important:
Ǹnukwu mmādù a èrika The importance of this man is
obvious:
Ǹnukwu ifē kà ọ mèlù It is a great thing he did
nni
n.
food
nni abụbọ
food prepared with vegetables
nni akpū
fufu (cassava)
nni anyàsì
supper
nni edè
pounded cocoyam
nni efìfìè
lunch
nni egbè
cartridge
nni jī
pounded yam
nni ògbàdụ
agidi (see nni ọkà)
nni ọkà
agidi; food prepared from maize by grinding, sifting, boiling
until thick and stiff and sometimes wrapping in leaves for
selling
nni ọlà
yesterday's food; stale food
nni nnùnù
corn, millet grain; chicken food
nni ūchichì
late supper
nni ūtụtù
breakfast
afọ nnī
gluttony
ajō nni
bad cooking
aka nnī
right hand
akwa nnī
stinginess over food
akwụkwọ nnī
vegetable
-bè nni
cut up food for eating
-gbaghalị nni
stir food
ibe nnī
a piece of food (like yam, cocoyam)
-kù nni
supply with food; cultivate
-kpa nni
(of animals) wander about in farm, forest, etc., in search of
food
mkpịsị (nnī)
spike used for bringing boiled pieces of yam or meat out of
the pot
217
-ra nni
knead pounded food in plate, mortar, etc.
-ta nni
graze (of animals)
-tinye aka na nni
dine; have meal; dine with (as an invitation to a friend present
during a meal)
-wè nni
reap; harvest (lit. take food)
òwùwè nnī
harvest; crop
Ǹnòdụ
p.n.
shortened form of the name Nòdụlụm#or Nònyelụm#
ǹnọò, ǹnụà
int.
welcome! (greeting to visitors or to someone passed on the
way)
nnu
n.
salt
nnu ākanwụ
potash stone
nnu oyìbo
sugar (imported)
nnu ụtabà
potash stone
-gba nnu
spit salt on (e.g. wound)
-tụ nnu
season with salt
-tụnye nnu
season with salt; (fig.) exaggerate, make more interesting (of
story); embellish
ǹnukwu
see ǹnekwu
nnù
n.
400
nnù egō
twenty pounds (= 400 shillings)
nnù kwùlu nnù
innumerable; myriads; one million
ògwọ ǹnù ọyà
panacea; medicine capable of curing all diseases (lit. curer of
400 diseases)
ǹnụà
see ǹnọò
nnùnù
n.
bird (generic)
ezè nnùnù
eagle; king of the birds
ǹnwa, nnwa, nwa
n.
(nwa when first word in combination)
A. child; (fig.) used as term of endearment by older to
younger person (cf. ụmù for plural)
nwaàdikē
warrior; hero
nwa afō, nnwa afō
freeborn child
nwa āgbọò,
girl of marriageable age
āgbọghò,
āgbọghọbìà
nwa bī be
child living in one's house
nwadiànì
social name of a child in his mother's family, home, locality,
village or birthplace: e.g. Each of the children of a woman
who hails from Obi's family is known as a nwadiànì among
Obi's family and kin. If a child's home town is Nneewi but his
mother's birthplace is Nnoobi, that child is a nwadiànì at
Nnoobi; if the mother's birthplace is the United States the
child when in Nigeria is said to be nwadiànì in the United
States
nwa dibìà
native doctor's attendant; native doctor
218
nwa di ọtā, nwa di
hunter's attendant
ntā
nwa ègwu
doll
nwa èjìma
a twin
nwa ezè alā ajā
instep of foot (lit. the king's baby never licks the sand)
nwa kā ibè ya
form of praise for one who excels his colleagues; first among
equals
nwa mba
cat
nwa mgbèyì, nwa
orphan; destitute child
ogbènyè
nwa mkpùkpù
newborn infant
mmē
nwa mmadù
freeborn person; well-behaved person
nwa nnà
brother, sister (not of same mother); relative; blood relation
nwa nnabè
echo (cf. òkpọnàkpọ òkù)
nwannē
brother, sister (strictly of same mother but also brother, sister
of same father but not of same mother, i.e. half-brother and
sister); sibling, relative; blood relation; also used as term of
address to a close friend
nwanne afō
brother or sister of same father and mother; full brother or
sister (lit. brother or sister of same womb)
nwannē ārụ
close relative
nwanne echī
day after tomorrow
nwannē nwaàyì
sister; female relative
nwannē nwokē
brother; male relative
nwa nnwā
grandchild
nwa nwaàyì
female child; daughter
nwa nwokē
male child; son
nwa ogbènyè, nwa
orphan; destitute child
mgbèyì
nwa ōkolo
lad; boy; youth
nwa ōkolọbìà
youth; boy
nwa òlukpùlu
blindman’s buff
nwa ōnogbò
cat
nwa òseāka
prodigal son
nwa ọfụū
new-born child
nwa ōgbanje
child believed to belong to a group in the world of spirits to
which he/she returns after dying in infancy, only to go back to
his mother's womb again. See ògbanje
nwa ọlū
apprentice
nwatà, nwantà
child
nwatà akwụkwọ
schoolchild; student
nwatà nwaàyì
girl; daughter (from nwa ntà nwaàyì)
219
nwatàkịlị
young child (from nwa ntàkịlị)
nwa ùyòm
chick
àkpà nnwā
womb; uterus
àkpà nwaāmmili
bladder
aŋùlị nnwā
child feast (e.g. "outing", christening, etc.)
-gba aka nwā
be childless
-kwò nnwa (n’àzụ)
carry child (on the back)
-lòlu ǹnwa
adopt a child
obele nnwā
small child; caressing words used by mothers to their children
ùme nnwā
frequent loss of children soon after birth (by death)
ụmù nwaànyì
women
ụmù nwokē
men (as opposed to women
B. Used as first element of names, preceding name of market
day on which someone was born:
Nwankwọ, Nweēke,
for men born on Ǹkwọ, Èke, Oyè, and Àfò respectively, and
Nwooyè, Nwaàfò
Nwamgbankwọ, Nwamgbeēke, Nwamgbaàfò for women
born on Ǹkwọ, Èke, and Àfò respectively. It is also used
preceding the name of a deity, person, or set of circumstances,
etc., after which a person is named: e.g. Nwudō (son of Udō,
a deity); Nwọòrà (son of all); Nwoòlìsà (son of Òlìsà, God);
Nwachukwu (son of God); Nwiijè (for a son born away from
home)
C. young of animal
nwa agū
very young leopard
nwa atụlū
lamb
nwa ewū
young goat; kid
D. used to make a noun phrase (often corresponding to an
English adjective) out of a descriptive word
nwa àkàkpò
dwarf; stunted person
nwa bìàlìì
soft, smooth quality
nwa bùù
quietness; ease
nwa mkpìlìkpì
very small, short, quality or amount (cf. mkpìlìkpì)
nwa mkpìlìkpì ogè
moment; minute; very short time
nwa mpe, mpe
very short, little, smallish state (of human beings in particular,
and animals):
Nwa mpe kà ọ bù
He is smallish
nwa nkenke
very short (cf. nkenke)
nwa ntịkōlọ
very little, small amount, etc.:
Tìnye nwa ntịkọlọ mmīli n’ime ìtè Put very little water into
the pot
nwantịntị
small amount, state, etc.:
Chèlụ nwantịntị Wait a little
nwa pe, nwa mpe
a very small, little
220
nnwọò
see nwọò
ǹnya
n.
sticky gum
ǹnyàafù,
n.
yesterday:
ǹnyàafùlụ, ǹnyàa
Mmilī zòlù ǹnyàafù It rained yesterday
-no
v.
swallow
ònuno
swallowing
-nodà
swallow down
-nomìna
swallow down
-no uno
try to eat more than one's share
-nọ + 1.
v.
be slimy, slippery
-nọ ànọ
be slippery, slimy (as okra or ògbònò soup, gum, etc.):
Ofe nōlụ ànọ adīrọ àsọ m, ya kpàtàlù nà mụ adīrọ èli ofe
ògbònò I dislike slimy soups; for that reason I do not eat
ògbònò soup
-nọcha
slide; slip (= nwàcha, -kwàcha):
Ànì nà-ème nnọcha n’ùtụtū à màkà nà mmilī ezòka
ǹnyàafù The ground is slippery this morning because there
was a lot of rain yesterday
ofe ōnịnọ
soup prepared with okra, or ọgbọnọ, or both
-nọ 2.
v.
rub thoroughly; massage
-nọcha
rub; clean; polish:
Achòlù m ìnōcha mmà m kà ọ na-akwā màlàmàlà I want to
polish my sword so that it will be glittering
-nọ ọgwù
rub balm (on a particular place)
-nọ + 3.
v.:
-nọ mmilī
(used with obì or ume) be fearful, worried:
Èri m jì nụ nà ụgbọ gbùlù mmadù n’ụzō Āba kà obī jì ànọ
m#mmilī màkà nà nwụnyè m jēlụ ịzūta ife n’Àba akà
ànatarọ Since learning that somebody was killed by a lorry
on the Aba road I have been worried, because my wife who is
away in Aba to buy something has not returned
-nò
v.
be in a place (of animate creatures); stay; dwell; be at home
(cf. -bi, which refers to more permanent living); sit
ònùnò
staying; dwelling
-nò anya
represent; be in place of
-nòchi
usurp someone's place; take the place of; succeed
-nòchi anya
A. take the place of (somebody); succeed; follow:
Samsìn nà-àbịa ịnòchì anya m#Samson is coming to replace
me
B. block the vein:
Agà m anòchi ī anya kà ị ghàlụ ịfū ife a nà-ème n’ime ụnò
òfụma I am going to block your view in order to prevent you
from seeing what is going on in the room properly
221
-nòchibìdo
besiege; prevent; hinder:
Ndi ilō m nà-àkwado ịnōchìbìdò m ịbà n’òtù ụmù òkolọbìà
My enemies are trying to bar my entry into the young men’s
association
-nòdèbe
sit, stay near
-nòdide
continue, remain (of person)
-nòdo
sit on:
Ò gịnī kpatalụ nwa nkịtā afū jì èbe akwā? Ọ bù Èjìmâ
nòdòlù ya n’isi, mà adōgo m#ya aka na ntì kà ọ rapù ịnòdò
nwa nkịtā n’isi màkà nà nwa nkìtā nwèlù ike ịtā ya Why is
that puppy crying? It is Ejima who is sitting on its head, but I
have warned her to stop sitting on its head because it may bite
her
-nòdolụ
be with:
Nòdolụ m#nwantịntị ogè Stay with me for a short while
Nòdụlụm#Stay with me (name for an ògbanje)
-nòdụ ànì
sit; sit down:
Gwa yā kà ọ nòdụ ànì Tell him to sit down
nòdụ mmā
goodbye (to one going home)
-nòfè
sit around
nògboo
greeting to a person travelling (lit. return early!)
-nòkọ
sit together; assemble
-nòkọba ọnū
assemble; sit together
-nòkọ ọnū
sit together, assemble:
Ànyị gà-anòkọ ọnū We shall sit together
-nòkwu
stay longer:
Bikō nòkwue Please stay longer!
-nòlịlị
stay up to the present; be still waiting, staying:
Ì nòlìlì? Are you still waiting, staying, here?
-nò n’aka ebē
stand surety
-nò nà mbe
stand surety for
-nò n’ọkwa
be in a post, position
-nò n’ùdo
live in peace
-nò n’ùfụ
be in distress
-nò n’ụjū
be (in) mourning
-nò n’ụnò
be at home:
Nnā ānyị nò n’ụnò Father is in
-nònyelụ
dwell with; stay with; sit with
Nònyelụm#Stay with me (name for an ògbanje)
-nò ọdù
tarry; stay long; delay; remain
-nòpùta
withdraw (esp. from fire); sit away from
-nòrube
surround; sit round
-nòrụka
stay long; sit on one side; sit out of the way
222
-nòsasị
sit scattered apart
-nòsị
finish staying
-nòtè aka
be far away, at a distance; stay away long
-nò ùwà
be reborn; reincarnate:
Òkeēke nòlù nwa mụ ùwà Okeeke has reincarnated as my
child:
Ọ bù nnā ānyị ochiè nòlù mù ùwà It is our grandfather who
is reincarnated in me
-nòwanye
sit down carelessly and uninvited among a group
-nòzi
sit straight, properly
nọòfụ
so; thus; in this manner:
Kà ọ dị nọòfụ It is enough, or Stop it at that, or, Let it remain
like that, in that form
nọònwọ, nọònwa
so; thus; here (cf. n’ebe à):
Ọ dì nọònwọ It is here
nrā
n.
fine
-dà nrā
fine
-li nrā
fine:
Fâ lìlì ya nrā They fined him
-ra nra
pay a fine; levy a fine
ǹra
n.
comb
-ra isi
comb the hair:
Anà m àchọ ịrā isi m#I want to comb my hair
-ra ǹra
comb (with comb)
ǹràmanya
n.
equality (- 1. be equal)
-kè ǹràmanya
divide equally:
Bikō kèe anụ afù ǹràmanya Please divide that meat equally
ǹri
n.
used in:
ụkwalā nri
whooping-cough (cf. ụkwalà ntìrịìrì)
Ǹ
n.
A. settlement of Nri, founded by Nri son of Èrì, and its
people; (more loosely) people who claim some kind of
relationship with Nri
àka Ǹ
dwarf associated with Nri people
Ama Ǹthe Nri village square, believed by many
surrounding groups to be a resting place en route to the land
of the dead
Ezē Ǹthe sacred king of Nri
nwa Ǹ
an Nri man who has taken the Ichi title and travels widely
through Igbo-land exercising ritual and political authority
òdìnàànị Ǹ
Nri culture
B. (in Nri) the highest ritual-political title in Nri and Oreri:
Ǹrì bù echichi Nri is a title
ǹrịkō
n.
crab
223
nrù
n.
service; bondage; homage; veneration
-fè nrù
serve; wait upon; pay tribute; worship
ifè nrù
serving; tribute
òfùfe ǹ
A. traditional presentation of gifts to the ọkpala, esp. at great
feasts
B. church service; religious worship (Protestant usage)
ǹsala
n.
watery soup; "pepper soup"
ofe nsala
kind of soup which is watery (sometimes with little or no oil);
"pepper soup"
nsam
n.
small shellfish found in salt water; periwinkle (cf. ejùnà,
kòso)
nsansa 1., nshansha
n.
small amount (of liquid)
nsansa mmīli
shower of rain; few drops of rain
nsansa 2.
n.
flatness
afele nsansa
flat plate
ǹsèli
n.
(- 1. bring out) used in:
ǹsèli àzù
heron
nsi
n.
poison; sorcery
-ghe nsi
prepare poison
-gwọ nsi
work sickness or death by means of magic or poison
-kọ nsi
practise sorcery against
-kụ nsi
poison; practise sorcery against
-nye nsi
poison
ǹsìsì
n.
a measure of volume
ǹsị
n.
dung; faeces; excreta, manure, shit
òchìchị nsị
defecation with grunts
ǹsị ègbè
(fig.) gunpowder
ǹsịkō
n.
used in:
mkpà ǹsịkō
cramp; pins and needles
ǹso
n.
nearness; the vicinity of
-bịa ǹso
approach
-dị ǹso
be near; be at hand
-kpụdèbè ǹso
draw, come near
nsò
n.
queue
nsògbu
n.
trouble (-sògbu trouble)
nsọ
n.
A. (in general) sacredness; things or acts that are holy and/or
forbidden (including both asọ and nsọ B.)
-dị nsọ
A. be holy, revered:
Ọ dì nsọ It is holy
B. be a saint:
Pọòlụ dī nsọ St Paul
Òlili Nsọ (Christian usage) Holy Communion
ụnò nsō
Church building
224
B. forbidden things and acts, including both those which are
forbidden or taboo (= nsọ C.) and those which are
abominations (nsọ ànì, = alū)
nsọ ànì
an act forbidden by the land, or abomination, which cannot be
ritually undone but must be 'dragged' in an expiatory ritual
which involves dragging a live chicken tied to òmụ round the
town:
Onye mē nsọ ànì mèlù alū; ọ gà-àkpụ alū Whoever commits
an act forbidden by the land commits abomination; he must
'drag' the abomination
C. taboo; forbidden act which if committed must be undone
-dị na nsọ:
be forbidden, prohibited, taboo:
Ọ dì na nsọ It is forbidden
-me nsọ
break a taboo; do a forbidden thing:
Onye mē nsọ, ọ gà-èmegha nsō Whoever commits a
forbidden act must undo it
-sọ nsọ
forbid; prohibit; taboo:
Ànyị nà-àsọ yā We forbid it (for ritual reasons)
ǹsụ
n.
stammering
onye nsụ
stammerer
-sụ ǹsụ
stammer; stutter
nsụkpe, nsụtụ
n.
noise as of a steamboat; puffing
nsụsù
n.
light jab (- 2.)
nsụsū ōnụ
kiss
nsụtụ, nsụkpe
n.
noise as of a steamboat; a puffing
nta
n.
hunting
nta egō
striving for money
-chụ nta
hunt; go hunting
di ntā
hunter
-gba nta
hunt
-je nta
hunt
ndị ntā
hunters
nwa di ntā
hunter's attendant
ògba nta
hunter
ntà
used in:
anwụ ntà
mosquito
ntàkịlị
very small
nwatà ntà
small child
ụkwalà ntà
tuberculosis
ǹtaǹta
n.
bogeyman (used to frighten children) (= mmbu)
ǹǹta
n.
meat
ǹtàtàlabù,
n.
used in:
ǹtàtabùlabù
225
-yi ǹtàtàlabù
tickle (to make laugh)
ǹte, ntē
n.
small cricket
ǹti
n.
beater (shortened form of ǹtiti) (-ti 1. beat)
ǹti āja
(lit. beater of walls) instrument for smoothing wet wall,
especially of a new building
ǹti àkwà
(lit. beater of clothes) a club-like wooden instrument shaped
like a short pestle and used by native washermen in place of
an iron in smoothing thick heavy native clothes
ǹti ūnò
wooden tool for smoothing house walls and floor
ǹ
n.
cheek
ǹtiti
n.
tool for smoothing walls and floors (see ǹti)
ntì
n.
ear
ntì akwà
hem or edge of cloth
ntì ikē
obstinacy; perverseness
ntì ịkpō
headstrongness
onye ntì ịkpō
a headstrong person (mainly used for children):
Ọ bù onye ntì ịkpō He is a headstrong person
ntī ōke
wild waterleaf
-che (be) ntì
listen
-chi ntì
be deaf, obstinate, disobedient
-do ntì
warn; admonish; exhort
-gè ntì
listen
-gba ntì
probe the ear
-kachi ntì
be stubborn, wilful, disobedient
-kpà ntì
listen carelessly; pretend not to hear; be obstinate (lit. close
ear)
-kpọchi ntì
be deaf, stubborn (lit. lock ear)
mkpọchi ǹ
stubbornness; habitual disobedience (usu. of young person)
-naghà ntì
act wilfully
-ŋa ntì
listen; heed; incline the ear; pay attention
-tò ntì n’ànì
hearken; pay attention (lit. lay the ear on the ground)
ntī oke
kind of vegetable (Talinum triangulare Willd.)
ntìrịìrì
n.
used in:
ụkwalà ntìrịìrì
whooping-cough (cf. ụkwalā nri)
ǹ 1.
n.
kidnapping; captivity
-tò ǹ
kidnap
ǹ 2.
n.
used in:
ǹtọ ànì
foundation; origin:
Achòlù m ịmā ǹtọ ànì emume afù I want to know the origin
of the custom
-tò ǹtọ ànì
lay foundation
ǹtu
n.
nail (used in carpentry)
ǹ
n.
(- 1.) down (= ùlumē)
226
ǹtù azù
scales of fish
ǹtu ōkụkò
soft bodyfeathers or down
ntubu 1.
n.
difficulty
ntubu 2.
n.
rolling
ntùtù
n.
hair (of head, etc.; cf. ajị, body hair)
ntùtù anyā
eyelash
ntùtù isī
hair of head
ntụ
n.
ash; powder
ntụ egbè
gunpowder
ntụ ntụ
grey; ash-coloured:
Òkpu afù nà-àcha ntụ ntụ The cap is ash-grey
ntụ ọkū
ash
ogbènyè ọnụ ntū
very poor, destitute, person
-wụ ntụ
buy gunpowder
ǹtụ
n.
deception; guile; craft; cunning
-tụ ntụ
tell a lie:
Ị nà-àtụ ntụ
You are telling a lie
ǹ
n.
used in:
ǹtù akā
whitlow
ntụlụ
n.
hardship; misfortune
ǹtụmādị, ǹtụmade
n.
suddenness; unexpectedness
ife ntụmādị
unexpected, sudden thing; accident:
Ọ bù ife ntụmādị It is an unexpected thing:
Ife ntumādî mèlù An unexpected thing happened
ǹtụmade
suddenly; unexpectedly:
Afù m Ọjì nà ǹtụmade I saw Ọjị unexpectedly
ǹtùmàdì, ǹtùmàdù,
n.
used in:
tùmàdì, tùmàdù
ǹtùmàdì
especially; particularly:
Ọ nà-àsọ m#ijē mkpaghalị nà mgbèdè anyàsì tùmàdù nà m
nòdụ n’èzùmike I love going on a stroll in the evenings,
particularly when I am on leave
ǹtụtū
n.
needle
-nu 1.
v.
push; take hold of and cause to move
ònunu
pushing
-nu aka
push
-nubà
push in
-nu enu
urge; force someone to do something against his wish
-nufù
mislead; deceive; advise wrongly; seduce; push out of the way
-nughalị
go about (in a herd or crowd); push about
-nukpọ
urge on; hurry on
-nunù
entangle; perplex; bewilder; be entangled
-nunye
push into (e.g. trouble, problematic situation); mislead into
227
-nupù
push out; sail, push off (a boat); set off (in vehicle)
-nupù afọ
act as purgative; have a big belly
-nupùta
force out; gush out
-nurù
take hold and shake
-nutù
push down
-nu + 2.
v.
be bitter
-nu inu
be bitter:
Ọgwū ǹkaà nà-ènu inū This drug is bitter
-nu 3.
v.
buy (palmwine, or other native drink); cf. -go, -zụ buy
(anything else); -kpa (buy oil only)
-nuta mmanya
buy native wine (e.g. palm wine):
Jèe nùtalụ m#mmanya Go and buy me some palm wine
-nu 4.
v.
rear animals
ònunu
rearing (animals)
ife enunu
domestic animals; cattle; poultry
-nu + 5.
v.:
-nu ọbìà
offer hospitality (= -ne ọbìà)
-nù + 1.
v.:
-nù inu
ask riddle; use proverb:
Bikō nùelụ m#òfu inū Please give me a proverb
-nù 2.
deriv.suff.
ever:
Ò bịanùrò ebe à He never visited here:
Ò fụnùgo ụzò? Was he ever able to see?
-nùta
(deriv.suff.) never; not ever (with negative verb):
Ọ mā enwenùta ike ibūtù m n’ànì She will never be able to
throw me to the ground
nụ
enc.
indicates strong request, begging (stronger than )
Gwànụ m#Please tell me
Nyènụ m#nnu Give me some salt, please!
-nụ + 1.
v.
hear
ònụnụ
hearing
-nụ anụ
hear; obey
-nụcha
hear well
-nụfìè
hear incorrectly
-nụfịalụ
overhear
-nụ isì
smell; scent
-nụ okwu
hear; obey
-nụta ìkpè
hear bad talk about someone (and often report it)
-nụ + 2.
v.
marry
ònụnụ
marrying:
Anùlù m ya ǹnyàafù I married her yesterday
-nụ di
marry (of woman)
-nụ nwaànyì
marry (of man)
228
-nụ nwunye
marry (of man)
-nụ + 3.
v.:
-nụ ọkụ
be warm
-nụ ọkụ n’obì
be zealous, enthusiastic; agitate; anger; enrage
enc.
plural:
Bìanù! Come, you people!:
Dàalụ nù Greetings to you all:
Kà ànyị lie nù Let's eat:
Fa bīago nù They've come
-nù
v.
fight; war; strive
-nù agha
fight a war; war
-nùcha
loot
-nù ògù
fight (a fight)
-nùpù isi
be disobedient; rebel; revolt
-nùsò
strive, fight, against; war with
-nùsò agha
war against; engage in battle against
-nùsò ògù
fight against
-nùta
fight for; spoil; rob; loot:
Òkeēke tìlì nwa Okaàfò, Okaàfò weè je ịnùtà ògù Okeeke
beat Okaafọ's son, so Okaafọ went to fight on his behalf
-nù ùnù
struggle
onye nnụsō ògù
an enemy
ònùmà
severe displeasure; wrath; fury (stronger than iwe)
-nù-cha
v.
purify; prove; try; refine; be purified, proved, etc. (metals, by
fire)
nụfù
dem.
that yonder:
Nye m#ifeē nụfù
Give me that thing yonder
nụnwà
dem.
this (cf. nwà)
nụù
dem.
that; that yonder
nwa
see nnwa
nwà
enc.
very, -self (used with nominals):
Kèdụ màkà gị nwà? And how are you yourself?
mụ nwà
I myself
ndi à nwà
these very ones
n gị nwà
you; yourself; thou; thyself (emphatic)
-nwà 1.
attempt; try; essay; tempt; prove
ònwùnwà
temptation; trial; proof
nwà kene!
just try! Try first!
-nwàne
try; tempt; attempt
-nwànye
try (to a praiseworthy extent)
-nwà òkò
try one’s best
-nwà 2.
-nwàpù
spit out
nwaāmịlị,
n.
urine
nwaāmili
nwaàyì, nwaànyì
n.
woman
nwaànyì akpù obì
freshwater flying fish (Pantodon buchholzi) (= òjì n kù)
229
nwaànyì ime
pregnant woman
agadiì nwaànyì
old woman
agbàlà nwaànyì
woman of great influence or of strong, stout build
àjàdù nwaànyì
widow
enyì nwaàyì
girl-friend; woman friend
ezè nwaàyì
queen
-nụ nwaànyì
marry (of man)
nwanne nwaàyì
sister; female relative
ọgò nwaàyì
mother-in-law; female relative-in-law;
-nwà-cha
v.
be slippery (as of mud)
nwantan ta
n.
unknown person; dummy; make-believe; creature of
imagination; bogey-man
nwantan ta anyā
pupil of eye
nwayò, nwayòò
n.
gentleness; quietness; slow, gentle movement:
Nwayòò Gentle (advice, greeting, warning, sympathy)
Wèlụ nwayòò Be gentle, careful
Adì m nwayòò I am gentle, quiet (by nature)
Wèlụ nwayòò na-èje Be walking, going, gently
Nòdụ nwayòò Sit or stay quietly or, Be quiet
Nwayòò bù ijè The best way of doing anything is to go about
it gently, carefully and confidently. (Lit. Gentleness is
journey)
nwayòò nwayòò
very gently, slowly, softly; gradually
Na-àkpụ yā nwayòò nwayòò Be pulling it gently or slowly
-nwe
v.
have; own
ònwunwe
having
-nwe afọ ọma
be generous, kind, benevolent
-nwe àgbà
have a say in; have influence
-nwe aka ntachi
be stingy, miserly
-nwe ākọ
be intelligent
-nwe anya ukwu
covet
-nwe àtù
have an equal, another of its kind
-nwe efè
have a chance; find it convenient; have an opportunity:
Ènwerọ m efè I have no chance, opportunity
-nwe èzi nà ụnò
become a householder
-nwefọ
have remaining
-nwe ifele
be shy, reserved, considerate
enwe ifele
unrestrained; unabashed
-nwe ike
be capable, strong, able
enwe ike
weak, feeble, incapable, incompetent, useless
-nwe isi
be reasonable; be successful, fruitful
enwe isi
useless
-nwe isi akwụkwọ
be brainy, brilliant (at studies)
-nwe isi awele
be lucky; have good luck
-nweka
have much:
Anà m ènweka letà I have a lot of mail
-nwekọlịta
have in common:
Ò nwerọ ife ayị nwèkòlìtàlù ọnụ We have nothing in
common
-nwe ònwe
be free
-nwe òfọ
be innocent, in the right, just
-nwe ọnụ
A.
be talkative
B.
have an (influential) voice in; be in a position to be listened to
230
-nweta
obtain; get
-nwe uchè
be sensible, wise
enwe uchè
simpleness; foolishness
-nwe ùbụlù
be intelligent, brainy, sensible, brilliant
o nwee
if; suppose; supposing that
onye nwe
lord; master; mistress; owner
Onye nwe ayị The Lord
-nwè
see -nwò
-nwo
v.
pluck; remove (grains of maize, ripe palm-nuts, from cob or
bunch); fall out (e.g. from the socket like a joint or ripe fruit)
-nwoji
break off
nnwòji, nnwoji
sprain; dislocation
-nwojipù
be out of joint
-nwosị
pluck, remove (grains of maize or ripe palm-fruits from cob or
bunch respectively)
-nwosịsì
drop leaves or unripe fruit (of tree)
-nwò, -wò, -nwè
v.
change; be changed; metamorphose; transfigure
ònwùnwè,
changing
ònwùnwò
-nwò àrụ, -wò àrụ
change bodily appearance (e.g. put mask on or off)
-nwò ènwò, -wò
change; be changed; metamorphose; be transfigured
èwò
-gbanwò
change; exchange
Bikō gbanwòolụ m ji n kaà màkà nà o lèlù ùle Please
change this yam for me, for it is rotten:
Ndị àfè ojiiì jìdèlù òfu nwoke nā-agbanwò egō n’afịa The
police arrested a man exchanging money in the market:
Anà m èje ụnọ àkù ịgbānwò ego ochiìè m fùlù n’akpàtì m
n nyàafù I am going to the bank to change the old money I
found in my box yesterday
nwoke , nnwoke
n.
man; male
agadiì nwoke
old man
-ma nnwoke
not to be in state of virginity (of woman) (lit. know a man)
nwanne nwoke
brother; male relation
nwa nwoke
male child; son
nwatà nwoke
boy; son
ọgò nwoke
father-in-law; male relative-in-law
ụmù nwoke
men (as opposed to women)
nwọò, n nwọò,
dem.
this; at this time; now; like this:
wọò
Ife n nwọò fa dèbèlù n’agìga iìlo nà-èyi ụmù akā egwù
This thing they placed beside the road frightens the children.
Etu ọ dìlì n’ìzìzì kà ọ dì nwọò... As it was in the beginning,
is now ...:
Mèe yā n nwọò Do it like this
Etu m dì kà m dì nwọò ènwerọ m ịke ịtā afụfụ màkà nà
abù m nnukwu ògàlànyà As I am (in my present position) I
cannot suffer any deprivation because I am a fabulously rich
man
-nwu
v.
shine; burn; be clean, pure, bright; flare; blaze
ònwunwu
shining; burning; being clean
-nwuchapù
be thoroughly clean; wash, rinse out; absolve
-nwuchita anya
dazzle the eyes
-nwu enwu
231
A.
shine; blaze; flare
B.
be clean, pure, bright
-nwu gbàà
shine, glitter, very brightly; be very white
-nwugha
change colour
-nwulàpù
flash
-nwulu ọkụ
catch fire
-nwu màlàmàlà
dazzle; be dazzling
-nwupù
glitter
-nwusà
shine around; illuminate
nwunyè, nwunyì
n.
female; wife
nwuny+e diì
co-wife
nwunyè nnà
stepmother
ego nwunyè
bride-price
-kùchi nwunyè
take the wife of a dead person
-nụ nwunyè
marry (of man)
-nwụ
1.
v.
A.
die
ònwụnwụ
dying
-nwụ anwụ
be dead
-nwụnye ọlụ
be very ill, half-dead
-nwụ ọnwụ Chiì
die a natural death:
Nwoke afù nwùlù ọnwụ Chiì ya The man died a natural
death
-gbanwụ
wither; shrink; be numb
B.
be paralysed
C.
be very incapable, inefficient
anwụ anwụ
neg. noun phrase, as in:
Onye à bù anwụ anwụ This person never seems to get old,
or, This person bears a charmed life
-nwụ 2.
v.
catch; grip
-nwụ àrụ
make ill; be ill; cause illness
(àrụ) nwụ
be sick:
Àrụ nà-ànwụ yā He is sick
àrụ ọ nwụnwụ
illness
-nwụde
catch; grip; seize; throw in wrestling; catch (e.g. thief) red-
handed
-nwụdo
catch; snare
-nwù- 1.
v.:
-nwùchi anya
close, shut eyes
-nwù 2.
ext. suff.
again; re- (denoting repetition of an action)
-denwù
re-iron; iron again:
Achòlù m kà ị denwùa akwà afù I want you to re-iron that
cloth
-sụnwù
re-wash; wash again:
Ọ gà-àsụnwù akwà ọ sùlù n’ùtụtù She will re-wash the
cloth she washed in the morning
-nwù, -ñù- 3. +
v.
-nwù ọnwù
take without permission from a close friend:
Ọ chìlì àfe ìgọzi ijì nwùsa ykā ọnwù She took Ngọzi’s
clothes because they were intimate (implies N. can easily
spare them and will not be annoyed)
-nwùta
borrow (clothes, accessories, etc.) to wear to make a good
impression
232
NY
nya 1.
see ya
-nya 2.
v.
be sticky
-nyachi
stop up cracks; seal
-nyado
stick; stop up a hole
-nyakụ
adhere; cling; stick
-nyakụdo
adhere to; cling to; stick to
-nya + 3.
v.
-nya ọkụ
warm oneself; bask
-nyà 1.
v.
bend; drive (a vehicle)
ònyìnyà
bending; driving
nnyagò
crookedness; sinuousness; bent state
-nyà- 2.
v.
break
-nyàji
(trans. and intrans.) break asunder; snap:
(trans.) Ènwè afù nà-àchọ ịnyàjì alakā osisi The monkey is
going to break the branch of the tree:
(intrans.) Alakā osisi afù gà-anyàji tupu ụtụtù echiì The
branch of the tree will break before tomorrow morning
-nyàjipù
break, snap, off:
Nyajìpù alakā osisi afù Break off the branch of the tree
-nyàka
break off; pull off; sever; pluck off violently
-nyàkapù
pull off, pluck off, sever, break off, violently
-nyàpelụ
break off a fragment:
Nyàpelụ nwantịntị àchìchà tàa Break off a small piece of
biscuit and eat
-nyàwa
break in pieces (usu. of soft objects like bread, cake):
Nyàwaa àchìchà afù ụzò naàbọ Break the bread into two
-nyà +
3.
v.:
-nyà isi
boast:
Ọ nà-anyàka isi He boasts too much
;nyamanyama
n.
stickiness:
Ọgwụ diCníme mkpò afù nà-ème nyamanyama The drug
in that small bottle is sticky
-nye 1.
v.
A.
give:
Nye m
Give me
ònyinye
giving
-nye ala
breast-feed (lit. give breast)
-nye aka
help; assist; aid (lit. give a hand to):
Bikō nyè akā Please help:
Nyèlụ m aka Help me
-nyechìata
give back: (= -nyechìgha)
Ị nyechìatago yā akwụkwọ yā? Have you given him his
book back?
-nyechì(gha)
give back, restore, return (something)
-nye efè
give a chance; make way for; give room for
-nye ego n gàlì
bribe; give a bribe
-nyefè
1.
hand over
-nyefè
2.
give to excess
-nye iru
pay attention to
-nyeju
supply
-nyeju afọ
feed well
233
-nye n’aka
commit; hand over to
-nye n dùmòọdụ
give counsel, advice
-nye n gàlì
bribe
-nye nsògbu
trouble; vex; persecute
-nye nsọpùlụ
give respect
-nye nzu#
pronounce judgement in favour of; justify; acquit
-nye ònyìnye
give a present make an offering (especially in church during
harvest, and periodically); make donation
-nyerube
give round; distribute:
Nyèrube ụmù akā àchìchà Serve the biscuits round to the
children
-nye ụsaà
offer excuse
ònyìnye
gift; donation; church harvest
obiì ònyìnye
generous mind; benevolent disposition
B.
(also -nye-lụ) into, to, with (following another verb, as if
suffix)
-bànye
enter:
Ọ bànyego ụnò She has entered the house
-kwenye
agree with:
Ị kwenyego nífe ànyị kwùlù? Do you agree with what we
said?
-nònyelụ
stay with:
Nònyelụ m Stay, abide, with me
-tinye
put into:
Tìnye akwụkwọ níme akpàtì Put a book into the box
-wụnye
pour into (esp. liquids)
-nye 2.
v.
A.
stop, park (of vehicle); land, moor (of boat); stay temporarily:
Ụgbọ afù ènyego The lorry has stopped, or parked
-nyedo
stop, park (vehicle)
-nye ìkwuù
encamp
-nye n’ànì
land, moor, come alongside, bring alongside (of and from a
boat)
B.
used in:
-nye kà ụgbọ
(slang) be good, right, fitting, beautiful:
Akwà nwa āgbọghọ afụ yì nyèlù kà ụgbọ The dress on
that lady is very attractive:
Oche diCgasị níme ụnò m ọfụlụ nyèlù kà ụgbọ The chairs
in my new building are very grand
-nyi
v.
get up:
Nyìe ọtọ Stand up:
Nyìri Stand up and go
-nyì
v.
A.
be weighty, heavy
ònìnyì
being heavy, weighty
-nyìdo
load heavily; become too heavy for:
Ibu afù anyìdogo Èjìma The load has become too heavy for
Ejima. (Ejima has been walking along with the load on her
head but now the load has become so weighty that she can no
longer move)
-nyìgbu
overload; load to death; be overloaded, heavy-laden:
Bìàkutenù m ụnù ndị ibu nà-anyìgbu Come unto me, all ye
that are heavy-laden
B.
be too much for; be beyond one’s ability:
234
Ọ nyìlì gị You cannot, or It is beyond your ability:
Ọ nyìlì gị ịmā m òla It is beyond your ability to slap me
C.
used in:
-nyì ànyì
(fig.) be very many, plentiful, more than enough:
Òlili nà òñụñqụ nyìlì ànyì nébe àgbàmakwụkwọ Ndù
There was much to eat and drink at Ndụ’s wedding
-nyò
v.
peep; observe; stare; spy; look through (microscope,
telescope, etc.)
ònyìnyò
shadow; reflection; picture
-nyòcha
A.
examine; look at thoroughly, closely
nnyòcha
thorough examination
-nyòcha
B.
be inquisitive, curious (fig.)
Ị nā-enyòchaka You are too inquisitive
oke nnyòcha
great curiosity (esp. about small things)
-nyòchata
be curious, inquisitive:
Ị nā-enyòchataka You are too inquisitive
nnyòchata
curiosity; inquisitiveness
-nyò ènyò
peep
ènyò
mirror
nnyòkan nyò
inquisitiveness; curiosity (lit. much looking):
(Proverb) Nnyòkan nyò kà mgbọ jìlì da ènwè nísi Because
of the monkey’s inquisitiveness, a bullet hit it on the head. (cf.
curiosity killed the cat)
-nyọ +
v.
-nyọ ụkọlọ
be lazy
-nyụ 1.
v.
excrete; secrete; ooze
-nyụ arùlù
pass wind, fart, ‘gas’
-nyụsịsị
ooze out; spout
-nyụ 2.
v.
be extinguished; die out; go out (of light, fire)
ònyụnyụ
being extinguished; dying out
-nyụ nkọ
be blunt
-tinyụ
extinguish by beating:
Ejì m aka tinyu ọkụ I beat out the light with my palm
-nyụkwùdo
shut the eyes
-nyụ + 3.
v.
-nyụ afịa
A.
be unprofitable, almost unsaleable (of commodity in market)
B.
(fig.) be reactionary
Ọ nyùlù afịa He is reactionary
nzā
n.
very small bird sp.
ǹza
n.
support; stay
ǹ 1.
n.
filter (- 2. filter)
ǹ 2.
n.
lot(s) (as in casting lots)
(ǹzà) -ma
fall on (of lot):
Ọ bù mụ kà ǹza mālụ It is me on whom the lot fell
Ǹzà màlù Èke The lot fell on Eke
-fe ǹ
cast lots:
Ànyị gà-èfe ǹWe shall cast lots
ǹzàlì
n.
A. horsetail usually held by chiefs; the feathery part of the
235
maize flower
B. (for some speakers) mane; fleece (= òzà 2.)
ǹ
n.
sacred ritual objects of clan to which an ọzō candidate is
dedicated (Henderson 1972: 259); hence generally, title
ǹzè nà ọzō
the highest title
onye ǹ
titled person
nzèlè
tribute, anything due to ǹ
ǹzịza, òzịza
n.
swelling; lump (-za 2. swell)
ǹzìzà 1.
n.
worship; homage
ǹzìzà 2.
n.
large broom for sweeping outdoors
ǹ
n.
used in:
ǹzò ụkwū
footprint, footstep (-zò ụkwụ)
nzū
n.
white clay (used for whitening, ceremonies, etc.)
nzu oyìbo
chalk; lime
-kà nzū
mark, write on, the floor, ground, or any object with nzū
(traditional)
-tụ nzū
sprinkle with chalk
ǹ
n.
wit
nzùkọ
n.
meeting; council (-zùkọ)
ǹzuzō, ǹzuzo
hiding; secret (-zo 1. hide)
-dị ǹzuzō
be secret:
Ọ nò n’ebe dī nzuzo She is in a secret place
ife nzuzo
secret thing
nzuzù
n.
stupidity; foolhardiness
Ŋ.
-ŋa 1.
v.
singe; burn; scorch
òŋịŋa
scorching
-ŋacha
singe; burn; scorch
-ŋa ògbàdụ
roast corn
-ŋa n’ọkụ
roast
-ŋa + 2.
v.
listen
-ŋa ntì
listen; heed; incline the ear; pay attention
-ŋà 1.
v.
be in excess
òŋìŋà
being in excess:
Àdịrō m èli ofe nnu ŋàlù I do not eat soup with excessive
salt
Mmilī ŋàlù mmanya ǹkaà This palmwine has been
excessively diluted with water. (Lit. Water is in excess in this
palmwine)
-ŋà 2.
v.
be spoilt by exposure ;to sunlight (of yam, cassava, cocoyam,
236
etc.)
-ŋà 3.
v.
shake (tr.); roll (intr.)
-ŋàgha
shake (a container of liquid):
Ŋàghaa ìtè ọgwù afù Shake the medicine pot
-ŋàghalị
A. shake (a container of liquid) around:
Ŋàghalịa ìtè ọgwù afù kà ọgwū dī n’imē ya wèlụ jezùe ọnū
Shake the pot of medicine round so that the medicine in it
may mix well
B. roll about (as of a boat on water), swing here and there
(intr.):
Nèe kà ụgbọ afū sì aŋàghalị n’enu mmīli See how that boat
is rolling about on the water:
Kèdu ǹkè ị nà-aŋàghalị kà ụgbọ? Why are you rolling about
like a boat?
-ŋà-cha
A. rinse (tr.):
Ejīgo m nchà sasịa afele. Ọ fòzìlì kà m ji mmili dī mma
ŋàchaa yā I have washed the plate with soap. It remains for
me to rinse it with clean water:
Ŋàchaa ārụ nnwā Rinse the body of the child
B. fade (intr.) (of colour, photo, etc.):
Akwà afù nà-aŋàcha àŋàcha That cloth fades, or that cloth
is fading:
Akwà afù nà-ème nŋàcha That cloth fades, or that cloth is
fading:
Akwà m àŋachàpùgo My cloth has faded
ŋàlàŋàlà
n.
warmness; tepidness
-dị ŋàlàŋàlà
be warm, lukewarm:
Bùtelụ m mmili dī ŋàlàŋàlà Bring me some warm water
-kpò ŋàlàŋàlà
be warm, lukewarm (of objects, e.g. water):
Kùtelụ m mmili kpōlụ ŋàlàŋàlà Bring me some lukewarm
water
-ŋe
v.
step over
òŋiŋe
stepping over
-ŋefè
step over; trespass:
Eŋēfègo m ōzu agwō dịchili ụzò I have stepped over the dead
snake on the path
-ŋefèga
step over; trespass:
Bikō eŋēfègàkwònà okè mụ nà gị màkà nà achōrọ m kà ị
bàta n’ànì m Please do not overstep our boundary for I do
not want to find you on my land
-ŋefèta
step over
nŋefèta
stepping over; step; threshold (of door or house)
-ŋe òfì, òrì
step over somebody's outstretched legs; step over
-ŋò
v.
borrow (anything but money) (cf. -nwù 3.)
237
-ŋò iyī
borrow thing used by another for oath-taking
-ŋòtalụ, -ŋùtalụ
borrow for; help borrow:
Jèe ŋòtalụ m òfu ochē Go and borrow a chair for me
-ŋò-mi
v.
imitate
nŋòmi
imitation
ife nŋòmi
pattern; example
-ŋụ
v.
drink:
Anà m èje ịŋū mmilī I am going to drink water
òŋụŋụ
drinking; drink
ife ōŋụŋụ
drink
mmili ōŋụŋụ
drinking water
-ŋụ ala
suck breast (of infants)
-ŋụbìga mmanya
get drunk
okè
-ŋụ iyī
take an oath; swear:
Ì nwèlù ike ịŋū iyī? Can you swear it?
òŋụŋụ iyī
oath-taking
-ŋụlụ
drink from; drink a little:
Ŋùlụ nwantịntị Drink a little
-ŋù + 1.
v.
be glad; exult, rejoice (against); crow over
-ŋùlị
rejoice; jubilate
-ŋùlụ
receive; greet; congratulate; be fond of:
Òbi nà-aŋùlụ ụmù akā Obi is fond of children
Jèe ŋùalụ Ụnòọma Go and congratulate Ụnọọma
-ŋù ọŋù
A. be glad; exult; rejoice; crow over
B. (fig.) cry as a spoilt child
-ŋù 2.
see -nwù 3.
-ŋù-nụ, -ŋò-nụ
v.
mimic; copy:
Ọ nà-aŋùŋụ nnwa nā-ebe akwā He is mimicking the child's
crying
O.
o
see
o 2.
emph.
used at end of sentence when speaking to someone at a
distance; sign of affirmation, or assent to a salutation:
Bìa ebe à o Come here!
"Dàalụ nù o" "Oo, gàba o" "Greetings to you all". "Yes,
come in"
-o
see -a
obē, ọbē
n.
ladder; cross; cross-shaped loom:
Wèlu obē lìgolu enu ụnò Go up the house with a ladder
238
-kpọdo n’obē
nail to the cross, crucify:
A kpòdòlù Jisùs n’ọbē màkà ndị njọ Jesus was crucified for
sinners
Onye a kpòdòlù n’obē He who was crucified
òbèjìlì
n.
sword with sheath
obelē, ọbelē 1.
n.
small size
ọbele nnwā
small child; caressing words used by mothers to their children
obelē 2.
n.
kind of bird
obì 1.
n.
heart; chest; bosom; breast; centre
obì agū
daring, fearless like a leopard; brave:
Enwèlù m obì agū, ejīgo m aka tigbue nkịtā alā I am very
brave, I once beat a mad dog to death with my hands
(obì) -dị n’àzụ
A. be extremely wicked:
Ịpīa nwatà àrụ esirō ike ìtàlì bù obì ịdī n’àzụ Flogging a
child who is ill is extremely wicked
B. be foolhardy (= nzuzù):
Ijī aka jìde agwọ dī ndù bù obì ịdī n’àzụ Picking up a live
snake is foolhardy
obī ēbelè
mercy; kindness:
Ụkòchukwu bī n’òbòdo ānyî nwèlù obī ēbelè The priest
who lives in our town is kind, merciful
obì ikē
hardheartedness; relentlessness
obì mgbalù
melancholy; troubled mind
obì mgbawa
great anger; broken heart:
Ìlùlò bànyelụ ọnwụ ụmū Ōbi naàbò n’otù mbòsì nà-
ewètalụ yā obì mgbawa Brooding on the death in one day of
his two children is causing Obì heartbreak
obì mkpofù
act of forgiving people; good-natured character:
Ndù nwèlù obì ọkū mà nwekwuazị obì mkpofù Ndù is
quick-tempered but he does not bear a grudge
obì mkpū
queen termite
obì ndidè
A. nausea; indigestion:
Nni m rìlì n’ùtụtù nà-èdidē m obì The food I ate in the
morning is causing me nausea
B. kind-heartedness
obì nlò
tenderness; tender-heartedness:
Enwèlù m obì nlò I am tender-hearted
obī ōkwutē
stony-heartedness; hard-heartedness
obì ònyìnye
generous mind; benevolent disposition
obì ọcha
pure heart
obì ọjọō
ill-will; malice; bad temper; wickedness
obì ọkū
anger; hot temper
obì ọma
goodness; kindness; benevolence:
239
O jì obì ọma me ife o mèlù He acted in good faith
obì ụnò
homesickness:
Obì ụnò nà-ème m I am homesick
obī ūsọ
cheerfulness; happiness:
Ọdùdụ nnē m ènweka obī ūsọ The last-born of my mother is
very cheerful, jovial, has a rich sense of humour
-bu n’obì
learn by heart
-chìchapù obì
A. stand with chest thrust forward
B. be open-hearted, easygoing, without malice
-dàjụ obì
propitiate; appease; atone
-dìdè obì
A. make feel sick; cause nausea
B. yearn over; be affectionate
obì ndidè
nausea
-dìdo obì
be patient
-gbafù obì
take the breath away; startle; shock; make shudder (lit. make
the heart run away)
-gbu mgbu obì
pain in the heart
iwe obì
ill-nature; malice
-ka obì
A. be determined
B. be bold, brave
-kasì obì
comfort (usually a bereaved person)
nkasì obì
comfort; consolation
-kù n’obì
hold at the breast; carry in the bosom
-mafù obì
take the breath away
-malù obì
soothe the heart
mkpụlụ obì
heart
-nụ ọkụ n’obì
be zealous, enthusiastic; agitate; anger; enrage
-tachi obì
bear up; endure
ntachi obì
endurance
-ta obì mmīli
be callous, wicked, determined
-ti obì
embrace (lit. knock chests)
-tụkwàsị obì
trust; count on; hope in
ntụkwàsì obì
trust; hope; confidence
onye ntụkwàsị obì
person being trusted
-wèpù obì
dismiss from the mind
obì 2.
n.
a fathom (used mainly for measuring cloth)
obì akwà
one Igbo yard of cloth
obì 3.
n.
act of dwelling (-bi 1. dwell)
àgbàtà obì
neighbourhood; neighbour
onye àgbàtà obì
neighbour; next-door neighbour
ànì obì
empty plot for future building (of dwelling)
-ro obì
migrate; go and dwell elsewhere
òbi 1., òbu
n.
A. ancestral house of the father (founder) of a village; house
240
belonging to the head of the family (as opposed to mkpukè,
woman’s house). The head of the house often retires here for a
rest or to entertain visitors, to perform ceremonies, settle
cases, and sometimes make offerings of his god(s). This
building also houses the family's images like chi, nkwù, arò
etc.; part of it is used as a store, e.g. for ropes for climbing
palmtrees
B. palace; court; reception house
ime ōbi
name given to interior of the palace where the king mostly
stays
òbi 2.
n.
title of a King
òbibi
n.
living (-bi 1. dwell)
òbìbì 1.
n.
termination; end (- 2. terminate)
òbìbì 2.
n.
printing (-1. press)
òbò
n.
disease where holes appear in flesh
òbòdò
n.
town; country. An òbòdò is, in the Onitsha area, usually
subdivided into three 'quarters' and named Ezi, Ìfìtè and
Ìkeǹ
ndi nche òbòdò
A. the town or village guards
B. the police
Òbòdò Isi Ōji
Africa
obodobo
n.
width; breadth (cf. obosala)
obodobo irū
broad face
akwụkwọ
broad leaf:
ōbodòlòbo
Di ntā gbàgbùlù òsa wèlụ akwụkwọ òbodòlòbo kechie yā
The hunter killed a squirrel and wrapped it in a broad leaf
Proverb: Akwụkwọ ōbodòlòbo gwàlù òsa kà ọ wèlụ nwayòò
na-àkpọ màkà nà ọ bụlụ nà di ntā àbịa gbagbue yā nà ọ bù
ya bū akwụkwọ ōbodòlòbo kà di ntā gà-akùlụ wèlụ kechi
ōsa Lit. The broad leaf warned the squirrel to call gently
because when the hunter was attracted by the squirrel's call it
was he, the broad leaf, that the hunter was going to cut and
use for wrapping up the squirrel. Meaning:- Be careful how
you expose yourself to danger, risks, trouble, etc., because
whenever you involve yourself in trouble it is going to be I
(we) who will bear the brunt of it
obosala
n.
width; breadth; levelness (of surface) (cf. obodobo)
òbu
see òbi 1.
òbù
n.
Senegal Coucal (Centropus senegalensis)
òbùbò
n.
heap (cf. òòbò)
òbùbò ọkū
heap of glowing coals
òbùbùbù
n.
(slang) a mass of persons or things
oche, ọche
n.
chair; stool; bench; seat
241
-wèlụ ọche
take a seat:
Wèlụ ọchē Take a seat
oche ezè
throne
ochīè, ochìè
A. old; aged; ancient
abù ochīè
old hymn book
Àgbà Ochīè
Old Testament
àgwà ochīè
old custom
mgbè ochīè
in the olden days
ndepùta ochīè
old edition
nne ochīè
maternal grandmother
òchi
n.
A. cupping; drawing of blood with horn or horn-shaped
calabash from any part of the body to relieve congestion,
swelling, pain; getting rid of impure or stagnant blood
B. instrument used for cupping or letting blood
-chi òchi
cup; let blood
-gbu òchi
cup; let blood
òchì
n.
palm wine tapper
di òchì
professional palm wine tapper
òchiche 1.
n.
waiting; watching (-che 1. watch, wait)
òchiche 2.
n.
offering (-che 2. present, offer)
òdì
n.
taciturn person
òdiìnaàbò
midnight
òdìbò
n.
servant
-gba òdìbò
serve (as a servant):
Agū nà-àgbalụ m òdìbò Agụ is working for me as my
servant
òdìdè
n.
small stool; footstool
odō
n.
wooden mortar for yam, etc.
aka odō
wooden pestle for yam pounding
nwa odō
pestle
odòdo
n.
A. purple, crimson
B. man’s name
òdòdò
n.
flower
òdogwu
n.
champion; one of great prowess; hero; title for such a one;
male name:
Òdogwu kà ọ bù He is a hero
òdogwu nnùnù
kind of large bird
òdogwu òzàlà
(cf. akpì)
A. scorpion
B. (fig.) a tough powerful person
òdozi
n.
repairer
òdozi òbòdò
A. one who takes care of a town or a community
B. the name of a chief notorious in Abakaliki for his
242
manipulation of a secret head-hunting cult. He was hanged in
1959 for the murder of several people
òdu
n.
Kemp's Gerbil (Tateri kempi)
òdùdù
n.
tsetse fly (they bite human beings and animals and suck their
blood)
òdùdù enyī
species of ….
òdùdù
(biggest species with most painful bite and highest capacity
for sucking blood)
òduduū
n.
damp; cold(ness)
ofe, ọfe
n.
"soup"; sauce; stew
ofe ēgwusi
melon soup
ofe Ìgbò
palm oil (= mmanụ akwū)
ofe nsala
watery kind of soup
ofe ōnugbù
soup prepared with bitter leaves
ofe Òwèlè
watery kind of soup very common among the Owere people
ofe ōnịnọ
soup prepared with ògbònò and okro
ofe ùtàzì
ùtàzì soup
ìtè ofē
soup pot
-te ofe
make soup, broth, stew, palmoil chop
-teghalị ofe
stir soup
ofe, ọfe 2.
n.
(= aŋàlà, anyàlà) a kind of egg-plant with tiny fruits and
edible leaves
ofè, ọfè
n.
A. far side of river or road
B. excess (i.e. passing the limits) (from - 2. cross)
òfe, òfe
n.
free gift (Y. òfè)
n’òfe
freely; gratis; for nothing
òfegà, ofega
N.
used in:
-kwu òfegà
talk in a flippant way
òfèkè, òfèkè
n.
a rascal
òfelè, òfelè
n.
ease:
Ọ dì òfelè It is easy
n’òfelè
easily
òfì 1.
n.
yaws (cf. àkwùmà)
òfì 2.
n.
see -ŋe òfì
òfifi
n.
boil (-fi 3. develop a boil)
ofili
n.
used in:
ofili isī
pillow
ofìlì
n.
A. a weight for keeping a door shut
B. heavy club
òfu
n.
one; the same; a certain; united; alone; lone:
Òfu nwokē bìàlù ebe à n’ùtụtù A certain man came here in
the morning:
Onye ezè afù gwàlù ndi yā kà fa ghàlụ ịnūsòzì ònwe fā ògù
243
màkà nà fâ bù òfu The chief pleaded with his subjects to stop
fighting each other, for they were one:
Òfu nnwā kà m bù I am the only child of my parents, or I am
an only child
òfu à
this same
òfu afù
that very thing
òfu chī
A. one god
B. (fig.) same character or behaviour (of human beings only,
to describe two persons with similar character):
Ọ bù òfu chī kèlù Okaàfò nà Nwoōsu Okaafọ and Nwoosu
behave the same way, or have the same idiosyncrasies
òfu efù
(one) at all (with verb in negative); not even one:
Ji noōne dì n’ọbā? Òfu efù adīrọ dị nà ya How many yams
are in the barn? Not even one is there
òfu jī
seed yam
òfu mgbè (= otū
once upon a time; at one time; once
mgbè)
òfu mkpụlū
only one
òfuù nụnwà
this same; this very thing
òfu obì
one heart; (fig.) unanimity, co-operation, agreement, unity
òfu ōfu
one by one; singly
òfu ogè
at one time; once upon a time; once
òfu onye
one person; a certain person:
Achòlù m òfu onyē I want one person
òfu ùgbòlò
once
n’òfu
together
n’òfu nje
at once; immediately; simultaneously
n’òfu n’òfu
each; one by one
n’òfu ntabì anyā
in the twinkling of an eye; instantaneously; immediately; in a
second
n’òfu ogè, n’òfu
at the same time; once upon a time
mgbè
-sò n’òfu
be of the same age
sò òfu
only one; one only
sò òfu akpō
once only; once for all
sò òfu nje
only once
sò òfu ùgbòlò
only once
-tinyekọ ọnū n’òfu
speak the same thing; be unanimous
ogè, ọgè
n.
time, opportunity; time span (cf. mgbè)
ogē à
this time; at this time
ogē ìkpe āzụ
the last time; at last; finally
ogè ịwā ji
annual yam festival
ogē mbụ
at first; initially
244
ogē nā ogè
from time to time; now and then
ogè ǹcha
at all times; always (cf. ọgè niīne)
ogè niīne
always; at all times
ogē òbùnà
every time; any time
ogē ūfọdụ
sometimes; from time to time
-me n’ogè
be punctual; do something in good time
mkpụlụ ogè
a few moments
n’ogè
in time
nwa mkpìlìkpì ogè
a moment, minute, very short time
ògèdè, ògèdè
n.
plantain, banana (Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca Linn.)
ògèdè oyìbo
pawpaw
-ghe ògèdè
fry plantains
ògenè
n.
metal gong; iron clapperless bell
ògene mkpì naàbò
double gong, pieces usually joined to each other at the tail
-kụ ògenè
strike a metal gong
ogìdì
n.
pillar; column
ògìgè
n.
enclosure; garden; yard; compound; fence; hedge (- 2. fence
off)
-gba ògìgè
fence compound or farm
ògìlì
n.
seed of a kind of pumpkin; ingredient used for flavouring
soups, made from ògìlì seeds
ògìli ūgba
castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis Linn.)
ògilìsì
n.
sacred tree (P. Beauv.) Seeman ex Bureau), (Newbouldia
laevis much used as a live fence and commonly seen around
shrines, especially of Agwù. A white cloth is often tied round
its trunk as an offering. It is honoured as a divinity)
ogō 1.
n.
height; maturity; full age
-lu ogō
be of age, mature enough to be able to do something:
Elū go m ogo ịnū nwaànyì I am already of marriageable age:
Ụmù akā ezi òmùme gà-ènyelụ nne nà nnà fa akā ogè fa
lùlù ogō Good children will help their parents when they are
of age
-to ogō
be tall
ogō 2.
n.
platform of logs for sitting outdoors
ògo, ogò
n.
namesake
ògò
n.
farm (cf. ugbō, ubì)
ògòlì
n.
(rare) wife; esp. first wife (when a person has more than one
wife) (cf. nwunyè)
òfọ ògòlì
a prodigal; spendthrift; womaniser
ogonogo
n.
length, height (of persons, trees, but not buildings):
Ibè tòlù ogonogo Ibe is tall:
Egbùlù m agwọ tōlụ ogonogo n’ùtụtū à I killed a long snake
this morning
245
ogonogo ndù
long life
ogonogo ogè òne?
How long? (of time):
Ogonogo ogè òne kà ị gà-anò nà mmilī? How long are you
going to stay at the stream?
-so ogonogo
be tall, long
ogù
n.
piece of wood used in taking oaths
-ji ogù
assert one's innocence:
Ejì m ogù I am innocent
ògùdù
n.
used in:
ògùdu ànì
wine from felled palm-tree
ogùgù
n.
stripped midrib of palm fronds
ògùgù
see ògwùgwù
ògùlù
n.
yellow(ness)
ògùlù akwū
inferior palm-oil (yellow in colour)
ògùlu ògùlù
yellow
ịbā ògùlù
jaundice
ogùlùgù
n.
rainbow
ogumogwū
n.
thumb-piano (cf. ùbọ)
ogbe, ọgbe
n.
sample; specimen
ogbè, ọgbè 1.
n.
lump; piece; loaf; whole (of ball-like objects, e.g. bread, cake,
ụkwà, etc.):
Ọgò m nwokē wètààlù m ọgbē àchìchà naàbò ǹnyàafù, m
nyawaa ōfu ọgbè ìbùọ nye Ēke òfu mkpekele, wèlụ ōfu
ọgbē fōdụlụ debe n’ime akpàtì nnī My father-in-law brought
me two loaves of bread yesterday. I broke one loaf into two
and gave Eke one half, and kept the remaining loaf in the
food-box.
ogbè akwū
head of palm nuts
-bù ogbè
be big
ogbè, ọgbè 2.
n.
'village', i.e. a residential unit smaller than one of the three
'quarters' (Ezi, Ìfìtè, and Ìkeǹ) into which a 'town’ (òbòdò)
is divided, and larger than a lineage or 'family' (ụmù nnà)
Kèdu ogbè i bì?
Which quarter do you live in?
Ọgbē Ìjọ Ịjọ Quarters
Ọgbè ǹdìdà a village in Onitsha Inland town
ògbe, ògbe
n.
one variety of "garden egg" or egg-plant (probably Solanum
incanum Linn.); cf. àfụfā, the general term for all varieties of
Solanum
ògbè 1.
quietly; softly
ògbè 2.
n.
a small market
ògbè 3.
n.
gourd used for carrying water
ògbè mmānya
calabash for wine
ogbènyà, ogbènyè
n.
poverty; poor person; pauper; orphan
246
ogbènyè ọnụ ntū
very poor, destitute, person
-dà ogbènyè
be, become poor
nwa ogbènyè
orphan; destitute child
ogbī, ogbì
n.
(deaf and) dumb person; dumbness:
Ogbī adīrọ èkwu okwū A dumb person never speaks
-dà ogbī
be dumb:
Ì dịrō àza m ajùjụ m nà-àjụ gī. Ì dàlù ogbì? You do not
answer my questions. Are you dumb?
ògbo
n.
A. sponge; rolled fibre used in sponging the body during bath
B. loofah; creeper whose fibre is used for scouring (Luffa
aegyptiaca Mill.)
ògbò
n.
namesake; age-mate (cf. agù)
-bụ ògbò
be namesake, age-mate:
Ndùbezè bù ògbò m Ndụbeze is my namesake
ògbòdì
n.
(coll.) fool; ignoramus
ogbòlò
n.
traditional seat in village square, consisting of pieces of wood
supported by forked sticks
ògbòmà
n.
wizard; kind of male witch capable of travelling where it
wishes unseen by day. Fewer in number than the ordinary
witch, but capable of greater damage once offended (cf.
Yoruba ọsò)
ògbòǹ
n.
cannon
ògbu 1.
n.
depth
ògbu mīli
deep water; the sea
ògbu ụlā
deep sleep
ògbu 2.
n.
killer (-gbu kill)
Ògbu āgụ
title; holder of Ògbu āgụ title; male name (lit. leopard killer)
ògbu ānụ
animal-killer
Ògbuēfi
title; holder of
Ògbuēfi
title; used for non-title holders as mark of respect; master;
head chief; male name (lit. slayer of cattle):
Ògbu ēfi Nnànyèlùgò Onye ọ gà-àdịlị mmā Title for late Dr.
Nnamdì Azìkiwe
ògbu mmadù
murderer
ògbunamkpọ
disease of fowls
ògbùgbò
n.
intervention; warding off (of need) (-gbò ward off)
oghē, ọghē
n.
opening
-ghe oghē
be open:
Ụzò ghè oghē The door is open
oghēle, ọghēle,
n.
opening; opportunity (cf. oghē; -ghe 1. be open):
oyēle
Ịbū onye ọlụ oyìbo nà-àgụ m, mà àka m nwerọ oghēle m
gà-èji bà ya bū ọlụ I have a desire to be a civil servant, but I
247
have not got the opportunity to enter the service:
Akpàtì m nwèlù oghēle n’òfu akùkù My box has an opening
on one side
oghele imī
nostril
oghū
n.
play; fun
-kpọlị oghū
play
òghù
n.
flying squirrel
oghùlù
n.
tall tree with bole up to 3-4' in diameter (Hannoa klaineana
Pierre and Engl.). It is fast-growing; the wood is light and
white and used for planks, canoes, etc. Medicinally the back is
used for curing fevers (ịbà) by soaking pieces of it in water
for some days and drinking the water, and by other ways of
preparation
ogwè, ọgwè
n.
A. trunk of tree
B. tree across pathway or stream, used as a bridge
-fè ogwè
cross a bridge
C. limb (as compared with a tree-trunk)
ogwè akā
arm
ogwè ụkwū
leg
ogwū
n.
thorn
ogwu akā
whitlow
ogwū nà ọkìlìkà
A. hedge
B. (fig.) trouble; tribulation:
Òyị m nwokē Deviìd nò n’ogwū nà ọkìlìkà My friend David
is in great trouble
osisi ogwū
thorny tree
ogwùgwù
n.
hole
Ògwùgwù, Ògùgù
n.
a female spirit who gives or withholds husbands and children,
and helps men to achieve ambitions such as taking a title
nkwụ Ògwùgwù
palm-trees associated with ogwugwu
ogwùlùgwù
n.
A. plentifulness; abundance
B. well-developed or -proportioned (of humans)
òhoò!
int.
Oho! (surprise)
ojì
n.
iron bell-staff; ceremonial staff of dibìà
dibìà
which rings when struck on ground
òji
n.
A. blackness
òji ōji
black; blackish
-ji òji
be dark, dark-coloured
Òji
B. Africans; Black race
Isi Ōji
Africa; Africans; Blace race
Ndi Isi Ōji
the Africans; the Black race
Òbòdò Isi Ōji
Africa
òjì
n.
used in:
248
òjì ǹ
freshwater flying fish; butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi) (=
nwaànyì akpù obì)
ojiī
n.
black
ịbà ojiī
malaria; jaundice without yellow coloration of eyeballs and
fingernails
onye àfè ojiī
a policeman (woman)
ojō
n.
kind of light wood used for canoe making (Cleistopholis
patens (Benth.) Engl. and Diels)
ụgbọ ojō
small canoe
òjò, èjò
n.
general name for fish of the genus Distichodus
òjukwū
n.
variety of oil-palm, which does not produce heavy crops of
nuts, but whose oil is bright red in colour and highly esteemed
oke 1.
n.
male
nwokē
man (see separate entry
oke 2.
n.
big size
oke ākpa
large broom (for outdoor sweeping) (= ǹzìzà)
oke àmàmife
great wisdom
oke anwū
intense sunshine
oke ārụ
A. serious sickness:
Ọ yàlù oke ārụ He was seriously sick
B. any serious misfortune
oke ēfifìè naàbò
noonday; midday
oke egō
fantastic riches
oke egwù
terror
oke ekwulèkwu
talkativeness; bragging
oke ìkùkù
tempest
oke mkpà
great need
oke mmādù
a man of great reputation
oke mmīli
heavy downpour of rain
okènyè, okènyà
see separate entry
oke ōlili
great pain
oke òrìmìlì nnū
ocean
oke ozū
great man
oke ōchịchọ
excessive desire; greed
oke ọfīa
thick bush; jungle
oke òkpà
cock
oke ọnū
A. of great price; costly; expensive; dear:
Agà m àzụtalụ nwūnyè m akwā dī oke ọnū ọ gà-èji wèlụ
gba Christmas na-abịa I am going to buy my wife costly
clothes for the celebration of next Christmas
B. precious:
Òbàla Kraìst dị oke ọnū àgbapùtago ānyị We have been
redeemed by Christ's precious blood:
249
Ọnā dī ichè ichè dị oke ọnū dì nà òbi èze ānyị There are
different previous metals in our king's court
C. big mouth (used to describe a talkative person):
Nwa òdìbò m nwèlù oke ọnū; ogè ǹcha nà ebe niīne kà ọ
nà-èkwu okwū My servant is a chatterbox; he talks all the
time and everywhere
D. great mouth (used to describe a person, usually a child,
who surpasses others in eating); gluttonous:
Nwatà afù nwèlù oke ọnū, o līsịgo nni e dèbèèlù ya nà ụmù
akā ībè ya sòọsò ya The child is a voracious eater, he has
eaten the food placed for him and other children all by himself
oke ọnụ afīa
(cf. oke ọnū A. and B.):
Agà m ejì ife dī oke ọnụ afīa wèlụ je kènee nnē m n’ogē
èzùmiike m na-abịa I am going to give my mother a precious
gift during my forthcoming leave
oke ọyà
great sickness; leprosy
oke ufèlè
great wind
oke ụbòsì
great day
-la oke mmānya
drink to excess; get drunk
okè, ọkè
n.
mark; boundary; line of demarcation (from - 1. divide)
-bifè (okè)
live too long (in a place)
-fè okè
surpass; pass the bounds
-gafè okè
be in excess
-kpa okè
make boundary; move (objects) aside to show demarcation
òdùdù okè
a kind of plant used for fences and for marking land
boundaries
-wa okè
make a boundary; put a mark; demarcate
òke
n.
rat
òkelekwū
rat, or any small animal
òke oyìbo
guinea-pig
òke ọfīa
bush rat
òke ụnò
house rat (Rattus rattus)
ntī ōke
wild waterleaf
òkè
n.
portion; share; division (- 1. divide)
òkè naàbò
two parts
-kèlụ òkè
take a share
-kèta òkè
take (and bring back) a share:
Anà m èje na nzùkọ ụmù nnà ikètà òkè ùmù nnē m I am
going to the family meeting to bring back the share (of
something) of my brothers
-zù òkè, okè
be correct; suffice; be complete, perfect, sufficient
òkekele
n.
a small high-pitched drum used with òkàǹ
okēlụwà, okelùwà
n.
fate
250
okènyè, okènyà
n.
full-aged, elder, principal person; senior (person)
-me okènyè
be aged, elderly, old
oke ōbụgbō
n.
type of lily
òkikē
n.
ivory tusk (of elephant)
òkìkè
n.
A. creation; (in Nri thought) one of the aspects of Chukwu,
manifested in the creation of things visible and invisible and
in the laws of nature (- create)
Chukwu Òkìkè
God the creator
B. elephant tusk owned by an ọzō man which symbolizes his
òkìkè
Ọnwa Òkìkè
tenth traditional month in the Nri calendar, in which the ọzō
men of each lineage gather their òkìkè in the lineage's temple
and offer a bloody sacrifice
okìlì 1.
n.
guinea-corn
okìlì 2.
n.
iron object with two prongs into which a charm can be
inserted and which is then pushed into ground (larger than
àbà)
òkìlìkili
n.
round shape (circular, not spherical); surrounding parts:
òkìlìkili ụnò
round about the house: (fig.)
Òkìlìkilî bù ijè Agwù (Lit. cycle is the movement of Agwù),
i.e. Agwù moves in a cycle, or Agwù moves from one person
to another until appeased). Used by workers or performers,
e.g. doctors and actors, who run rounds of duty, to describe
the nature of their work. Also used by other people to describe
such people, or similar conditions which are rotative in nature
-dị òkìlìkili
be round:
Ùwà dì òkìlìkili The world is round
oko
n.
A. head, ear (of corn, etc.)
oko ọkà
ear of corn (maize)
B. bunch (of plantains, bananas)
oko unèlè
bunch of bananas
òkò 1.
n.
full strength; one's best or utmost
-nwà òkò
try one's best:
Anwàgo m òkò m I have done my best
-pù òkò
be able
òkò 2.
n.
yam cultivar
okōkòòko
int.
exclamation of pain, grief, surprise
okokpòlò
n.
A. bachelor
B. poor person (fig.)
okòlò
n.
under; the underpart (of persons, between the thighs)
òkolo
n.
boy; youth; young man; male name
òkolọbìà, òkolobìà,
(ìkolobìà is an old pl. form, but nowadays both ò- and ì- are
ìkolobìà
used indiscriminately for sg. or pl.) youth; young man
-gbà òkolobìà
become adolescent (of man)
251
ìkènye ìkolobìà
middle-aged men
isi okolobìà
men in the prime of life
-me òkolobìà
act as, be, a young man
nwa ōkolọbìà
youth; adolescent boy
òtù ụmù òkoloọbìà
young men’s society
nwa ōkolo,
A. lad; boy; young man
nwoōkolo
B. male name
okòm
n.
yam cultivar
okonko
n.
empty container
òkoòko
n.
parrot (cf. icheǹ or ichoòkù)
òkòso, kòso
n.
A. small snail-shell used for playing tops; also a metal type
made by blacksmiths
B. the game itself (cf. Yoruba ìkòto)
okoti
n.
used in:
okoti ākpo
male lizard
òkù
n.
a call, shout; invitation; feast; festival:
Bìa sòlu m jèe òkù nà Ǹneēwi Accompany me to a feast at
Nnewi
iche òkù
parrot
ji òkù
a variety of Yellow Guinea Yam (cf. ji òyìbò)
-kpọ òkù
call
òkpọ nà-àkpọ òkù
echo
òkǔ jī
Yam festival (no longer celebrated)
-rì òkù
shout for; call loudly
-za òkù
answer a call
okuko
n.
skin of a fruit, used by dibìà
okuko ākwa
eggshell
òkukū
n.
horn-shaped calabash used for cupping and divining: (fig.)
Etīnyezina ọnū n’ime ōkukū wèlụ èkwu okwū Stop
speaking behind someone's back (lit. Stop putting your mouth
into a small calabash while you talk)
okùokwè
n.
yam cultivar
òkutā, òkutē
see òkwutē
òkùtà
n.
officers and leading members of a divinity's club or cult
okpēnsi
see okpōsi
okpēsi
see okpōsi
okpètè, ọkpètè,
n.
sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.)
okpòtò, ekpètè
okpòtò gbaǹ
ginger lily (Costus afer Ker-Gawl. and/or C. schlecteri
Winkler)
okpì
n.
stoutness, sturdiness (e.g. of tree, not of person)
okpì nkū
hard wood
252
òkpò 1.
n.
intestinal worm
okoòkpò
(from oke òkpò) tapeworm
òkpò 2.
n.
kind of large tree, white wood, very small leaves
okpodi
n.
male agama lizard (cf. ǹgwèlè)
òkpokō 1.
n.
large bird, plantain-eater
òkpokō 2.
n.
large morsel of pounded food
òkpokō ụtàlà
large morsel of fufu
-ma òkpokō
mould large morsel of pounded food:
Mànye yā òkpokō Mould him a large piece of pounded food
okpokolo
n.
empty (container)
okpokolo isī
A. skull; cranium
B. (fig.) empty-headedness, foolishness
okpòkolo
n.
can; small pot used for keeping oil, etc.
okpòkpò
n.
walking stick
okpolo
n.
highway; street; road (esp. in town; more specific than ụzò in
referring to a large road or highway)
okpolo īlo
road, street (esp. in town):
Pùta n’okpolo īlo Leave the road
okpolo ụzò
roadway; public path (less specific than okpolo īlo)
okpòlò +
n.
stalk; rod; stem
okpòlò igwè
rod of iron
okpòlò osisi
rod of wood; stalk of plant; stem of young tree of sapling
òkpòlòfifìè
n.
whistle; whistling
-gbu òkpòlòfifìè
whistle:
Gbùelụ m òkpòlòfifìè ogē ōbụnà ị nà-àgafè Whistle to me
whenever you are passing
okpòlokō 1.
n.
stockfish = azù nkū
okpòlokō 2.
n.
variety of oil-palm which produces nuts of very fine
appearance, but which have not much flesh, the kernel being
large in proportion
òkpòmọkụ
n.
heat (from: -kpò ọkụ be hot)
Ànị Òkpòmọkụ the Tropics (lit. hot land):
Ndi bī n’ànị òkpòmọkụ nà-àdị galagala People in the
tropics are brisk and active
-kpò òkpòmọkụ
be hot:
Àfe ǹkaà nà-ekpō òkpòmọkụ This garment absorbs heat
òkpòntụ
n.
grey
òkpoǹzàla
n.
plant with edible fruit (Aframomum daniellii (Hook. f.) K.
Schum.)
òkpoòdùdù
n.
kind of bean that provokes thirst
òkpoòfùfù
n.
perspiration
-gba òkpoòfùfù
A. perspire
B. labour over; take pains over; sweat over
253
-kpò òkpoòfùfù
perspire; cause perspiration
okpōsi, okpēsi,
n.
simple, faceless image carved (usually from ògilìsì) to
okpōnsi, okpēnsi
represent a dead ancestor after his final funeral rites; they are
usually dumb-bell shaped, except that those for married
daughters are cylindrical; all the family okpōsi are kept
together and offered food or libations from time to time while
the protection of the ancestors is solicited
okpòtò
see okpètè
okpotokpo
n.
big size (of persons, fruits)
okpotokpo mmādù
huge person; person of big build:
Ụmū Okeēke ànaàgbaka okpotokpo Mr Okeeke's children
are usually big for their age and of sturdy build:
Q. Kèdụ ūdị àgwà ị chòlù kà m zụtalụ gī, ọ bù ndị gbālụ
okpotokpo kòọ ndị gbālụ kịlịkịlị? What kind of beans do
you want me to buy for you from the market, the big type or
the small type?
A. Zùtalụ m ndị gbālụ okpotokpo Buy me the big type
òkpu
n.
hat; cap; head covering
òkpu ezè
crown
-kpù òkpu
put on, wear hat, cap
-kpù òkpu ezè
wear crown
-kpù òkpu ogwū
wear crown of thorns
-kpupù òkpu
remove hat, cap, etc.
òkpùkpù
n.
A. storey, floor (of a house); roofing
òkpùkpu īkwu
ridging of a house:
Òkpùkpu īkwû bù ọlụ sīli ike Ridging a house is hard work
B. set, group; stack (from -kpù 1. cover)
òkpùkpù naàbò
double stack:
Ị gà-èdo jī òkpùkpù naàbò n’ime ọbā You will place the
yams in two stacks inside the barn
okpulu
n.
kind of stiff bag made by Hausas for packing clothes, etc.
òkpulù
n.
under; beneath; the underpart; bottom:
Ọ nò n’òkpulù m He is junior to me (lit. He is under me).
(fig.) the real thing; the inside story:
Gwa m òkpulù okwū Tell me what really happened. (fig.)
secret:
Àdịrō m èkwu okwu ōkpulù I do not talk in secret
òkpùlù
n.
poor, pitiable, person or object; term of commiseration:
Èkeèmezie adī ènyeju ụmù ya afō, nwoòkpùlù, ò nwerō
onye ēnyemaka Ekeemezie no longer feeds his children
properly, poor man, he has no helper
okpulukpu
n.
shell (like that of the tortoise)
okpulukpu mbè
tortoise shell
okpùlùkpù
n.
kind of instrument
254
okpùlùkpu òkwè
stringed instrument
òkwè 1.
n.
A. kind of tree (Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex
Pax), sometimes sacred when grown at shrines, with long
stalk and broad leaves, used as livestock food
-chị òkwè
pay divine homage to òkwè (hence village name, Isi òkwè)
B. the seeds of the tree, used in divining
-chị òkwè
divine, with beads, nuts
C. a game played with the seeds on a board with twelve
partitions; "warri" (= Yoruba áyò)
òkwè 2.
n.
bean which grows in a pod, red, brown or white in colour and
used mainly in eating shredded cassave. Òkwè when properly
boiled is mashed thoroughly with shredded cassava by hand,
with other normal cooking ingredients - pepper, oil and salt -
added
òkwè oyìbo
horse-radish tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.)
òkwo
n.
a general name for fish of the Polypteridae family
òkwo igwè
Polypterus senegalus (= ùkata)
òkwo àfòyì
Polypterus ansorgei, P. endlicheri, Calamoichthys
calabaricus (= ùkata)
òkwòli
n.
kingfisher
okwu 1.
n.
word; speech; affair; matter; dispute; quarrel:
Bikō rapū m aka màkà nà okwu adīrọ n’ètitì mụ nà gị!
Please leave me alone, since there is no quarrel between us
okwu alū
blasphemy; abominable word
okwu āsị
lie
Okwu Chūkwu Word of God; the Gospel; sermon
okwu īnyo
foolish talk
okwu mkpalị
insulting word(s)
okwu nà ụkà
trouble; quarrel
okwu ọlà
(fig.) stale, old quarrel
amà okwū
verse
ànì okwū
most important part of the story
-chọ okwu
provoke, seek, a quarrel
ezi okwū
true word, saying; truth
n’ezi okwū
really; in reality; indeed; truly:
Ezi okwū bù ndù Truth is life:
Ọ bụlụ nà i kwūe ezi okwū agà m àgbaghàlụ gī If you speak
the truth I will forgive you
-gbabu okwu
speak all together; jumble words together
-gbagha okwu
contradict; argue
isi okwū
meaning of the word
-kè okwu
give judgement; settle a palaver
-kò okwu
(fig.) cause trouble; invite quarrel, dispute (usually
255
deliberately); assault
-kwu ezi okwū
speak the truth
-kwu okwu alū
speak abominable word(s)
-kwu okwu āsị
speak falsehood
-kwu okwu āzụ
slander, back-bite
-kwu okwu ūgha
speak falsehood
-naghà okwu
interrupt
-napùta okwu
force someone to speak out
-nụ okwu
hear; obey
òkà okwū
A. orator
B. eloquence
ọkpùlùkpù okwū
very important discussion
-sè okwu
quarrel:
Di nà nwunyè afù nà-esè okwū The husband and wife are
quarrelling
okwu, ọkwụ 2.
n.
cover; lid; stopper; cork (from -kwu 2. cover)
òkwu
n.
Basically refers to 'home'; specific uses are:
A. a small house with a steep thatched roof and a single door,
used as a sleeping house in mosquito-infested areas and as a
storehouse
B. shed for domestic animals
C. nest for ants:
Arụrụ èrika n’ebe à. Bìa kà ị fụ òkwu fā There are many
ants here. Come and see their nest
D. shrine
òkwu alūsị
shrine of a spirit
òkwu Ànì
communal shrine for the Earth Goddess
okwuchi, ọkwụchi
n.
cork; stopper; lid (cf. okwu 2.)
òkwùdùkwudū,
n.
owl (= okwumkwudo)
òkwukwuū
òkwukwe
n.
agreement; assent; obedience (from -kwe 1. agree)
òkwùkwè
n.
creed; faith (-kwe 1. agree)
òkwùkwe Ndi Ozī
The Apostles' Creed
òkwukwuū
see òkwùdukwudù
òkwùlù
n.
womb (cf. àkpà nnwā)
òkwùma
n.
a kind of native ointment; shea-butter
okwumkwudo
n.
A. (arch.) owl:
Òkwùdùkwudū sì nà afà ya bù okwumkwudo, mà azì nà-
àkpọ yā òkwùdùkwudū The owl says that his name is
'okwumkwudo', but young people call him 'òkwùdùkwudū'
B. (fig.) advance warning (as the owl warns by hooting):
Okwu à bù okwumkwudo This is an advance warning
òkwutē, òkutā,
rock; stone (cf. Yoruba òkuta, Ẹdo (Bini) òkutá)
256
òkutē
òkwute anwūlù
stone for grinding snuff
òkwutē ùwà tụùwà
Rock of Ages (ref. to Bible)
aks ōkwutē
stone for grinding corn
obī okwutē
stony-hearted
oli
n.
food made from maize
òli
n.
one who eats (-li 1. eat)
òli àkù
(beloved) wife (lit. devourer of wealth):
Ndùbụezè nà òliàkù ya nà-àbịa Ndụbụeze and his wife are
coming
òli mmādù
cannibal
òli ǹzèlè
chief; titled man
olìghìlì
see èlùlù
òlili
n.
meal; feast
-li òlili
have a feast
òlilo
n.
pain
oke ōlilo
great pain
Òlìsà
n.
The Great God
Òlìsà ebùlu ùwà God who supports the world
Òlìsà elòka God thought deeply (male name)
Òlìsà èmeka God has done a lot (male name)
Nwolìsà the son of God (male name)
òlìsìlì
n.
used in:
òlìsìlì ọkù
treasure
òlokō
n.
praying mantis
òlòkòmbụbā
see ùlùkòmbụbā
ololo
n.
bottle (cf. onono, the typical Onitsha form)
òlòma
n.
orange (Citrus aurantium Linn.)
òlòma nkịlịsị
lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle)
òlòma oyìbo
grapefruit
olòngōno
n.
A. praying mantis
B. (fig.) very slim person
Olu
n.
"people that live by the water", term used to denote those who
live by the bank of the River Niger
ndi olū
"men of the waterside", those who live by the bank of the
River Niger
òlu
n.
used in:
òlu ụlā
A. doze
(òlu ụlā) -tụ
slumber; doze
B. sleeping sickness; trypasonomiasis
olubulu
n.
kind of lizard, brightly coloured;? Bosc's Monitor (but only
about 1' long without tail)
òluku
n.
cotton (plant)
257
Olumbànasā
n.
group of seven villages in Anambra Division which speak
Igala as their first language
om!
int.
salutation of respect to an old woman (esp. a pagan)
ome
n.
shoot of a plant
-gba ome
send out shoot when not yet planted
-ke ome jī
break off premature yam shoots
òme +
n.
used in:
òme ākwụ
respectful form of address to women
òme ǹ
carpenter; artisan; craftsman
òmenàànì
n.
custom (cf. òdìbendi)
òmìmì
n.
depth; (fig.) mystery
-kpọ òmìmì
dive
-mì òmìmì
dive
-tụ òmìmì
dive
òmùme
n.
action; act; conduct; doing
ezi òmùme
good deeds; righteousness
òne? 1.
int.
how much? how many? which?
òne mbòsì?
which day?
òne mgbè?
when? at what time?
òne ndị
who (plural)? which people?
ùgbòlò òne?
how often? how many times?:
Gwa m ugbòlò òne i jègòlu ebe afù Tell me the number of
times you have been to that place
ònenòne, ònemòne
few; some:
Ọ bù mmadù ònemòne kà m chòlù kà fa sòlụ m jee kène
ezē chīlụ ọfụū It is only a few people that I want to go with
me to greet the newly-installed chief
onì
n.
bigger stake for yam
ònìinu
n.
a fish (Labeo senegalensis)
ònìnì
n.
burial (from -nì bury)
ònogbò, onogbò
n.
cat (cf. Yoruba ològbò, Edo (Bini) òlògbò)
nwa ōnogbò
cat
ònòlì
n.
title for a red-cap chief
onono, ololo
n.
bottle
Ònoòwu
n.
chief next in rank to the king of Ònìchà (and certain other
towns), conveniently translated 'Prime Minister', who places
the cap on the head of a titled man
onu
n.
A. neck
akpù onū
goitre
-dinàji onu
strain or crick the neck while sleeping
ife onū
necklace
B. (human) voice:
Onu m nà-àtọ ūtọ My voice is melodious:
258
Anùlù m onu nnà m I hear the voice of my father:
Bikō nùlụ onū m: Please hear me:
Ndi egwu ụmù àgbọghò àbịago, bìa nùlụ onū fa The lady
singers have arrived, come and hear them:
Chukwu nùlụ onu ụmù gị God, hear the pleading of Thy
children (or, prayer of thy children)
onu ànì
low tones:
Fa nà-àgụ egwu n’onu ànì They were singing in low tones
ònugbù
n.
bitterleaf (Vernonia amygdalina Del. and V. colorata (Willd.)
Drake)
ofe ōnugbù
soup prepared with bitterleaf
ònuno
n.
devouring; swallowing (-no swallow)
onùnù
n.
hole; pit
-kpochi onùnù
fill hole
ònwe
n.
self
ònwe āyị
ourselves
ònwe fā
themselves
ònwe ī, ònwe gī
yourself
ònwe m̄
myself
ònwe ụnù
yourself
ònwe yā
himself; herself; itself
amā onwe
senselessness; unconsciousness
-gbatì ònwe
stretch oneself (e.g. for exercise)
-lụ onwē ụkà
be disciplined, self-controlled
ngị nà ònwe gī
you yourself
-nwe ònwe
be free
onwène
n.
carpenter; craftsman; artist
ònwu
n.
anything that shines
ònwu màlàmàlà
flashing
ònwùnwò
n.
change
ònwunwu
n.
cleanness; brightness; shining
onye
n.
A. person (human or superhuman; its plural is ndị)
onye àbọō, àbùọ
another, a second (person)
onye àfè ojiī
a policeman (-woman)
onye afīa
merchant; customer; trader:
Jèe nàtalụ m azù ego naàbò n’aka onye afīa m Go and get
me twenty kobo's worth of fish from my merchant
onye àgbàtà obì
neighbour:
Àzụùkà bù onye àgbàtà obì m Azụụka is my neighbour
onye aghā, ayā
soldier; warrior
onye āghala, āyala
wild person; careless person
onye aka ebē
a witness, surety:
Onye ikpē afù gwàlù mmadù naàbò kà fa jee kpọta ndi
259
aka ebē fa The judge asked the two persons to go and bring
their witnesses
onye alā
mad person
onye àmà
talebearer; gossip; informer
onye ànì
fellow-countryman
onye ànị mmadù
foreigner; stranger
onye āsị
a liar
onye ìbèriìbè
fool; harmless idiot
onye ijè
traveller
onye ikpē
judge
onye ìkpè
backbiter
onye ilō
enemy; person bearing malice towards one
onye isī
head; headman; leader; boss
onye ìsì
a blind person
onye isi ikē
stubborn person; person who is habitually disobedient (lit.
hard-headed person)
onye ìkòlịìkò
melancholy or slightly mad person
onye ịtà
a witness
onye mmùta
scholar; pupil
onye nā-efe ọlū
superintendent; overseer; foreman
onye nche
watchman; guard
onye ndu
leader; guide
onye nga
prisoner
onye ngàla
proud person
onye ngana
lazy person
onye njọ, onye njō
sinner; niggardly person
onye ǹ
craftsman; skilled workman; artist; sculptor; designer
onye ǹ
relation; supporter:
Ọ bụlụ nà onye ǹke ōnye enyērọlụ ya aka, ò bùzì ònyê dì
ịtūkwàsì obì? If one's relation (supporter) does not help one,
who else is worthy of trust?
onye nkèta
inheritor (lit. sharer)
onye nkū
wood-cutter or gatherer
onye nkụzi
teacher:
Abù m onye nkụzi I am a teacher
onye nkụzi ụkà
church teacher; catechist; person who assists the clergyman or
catechist in the Ministry
onye nligbu
rogue; exploiter; cheat
onye ǹ
miser
onye nnapùga
Redeemer (cf. onye nzọpùta)
onye nnụsō ògù
an enemy
onye nsògbu
troublesome person
onye nsọkwù
fool
260
onye ntā
hunter
onye ntụ
A. liar
B. imposter
onye ntụkwàsị obì
person being trusted
onye nzinye
creditor
onye nzọpùta
Saviour
onye nzuzù
fool
Onye nwē
Lord; master; mistress; owner
onye ogbì, ogbī
dumb person
onye ōji
a black person
onye òkìkè
creator
onye orī
thief
onye ōsiālị
witness:
Jèe kpòta onye ōsiālị gị Go and bring your witness
onye oshī
see onye orī
onye òtù
companion; fellow; member (of a club, association, etc.):
Abù m onye òtu Ògàniru I am a member of the Ògàniru
society
onye òtù Chukwu
Christian
onye òtuū Kraìst
Christian
onye ozī
messenger
onye ōzizi
instructor; teacher
onye ọbìà, onye òrà
stranger; visitor
onye òbò
(colloq.) lazy person; sluggard
onye ōbụnà, òbùnà
anybody; anyone; (with negative verb) no one
onye ọcha
a white person
onye ọlū
workman; labourer
onye ọzō
holder of ọzọ title
onye ōzọ
another person, person who is not a relative; outsider
onye ụgwō
debtor
onye ụjō
coward; person who cannot endure pain
Onye Ụkà
Christian
onye ụkò
intermediary
onye ùkpò
one of retarded development
onye ụtā
archer
onye ùtà
deceiver; enticer
B. seller, dealer (preceding name of article dealt in)
onye anū
meat-seller (-dealer)
onye mmānụ
oil-seller
onye mmānya
A. (palm-) wine seller
B. carefree person
òkpu onye
a schoolboy's cap worn sideways (by carefree person)
mmānya
261
C. habitual drunkard
ònye
int.
who?
Ònyê mà echi? Who knows tomorrow?
ònyènyè
n.
woman (cf. nwaànyì)
ònyìnye
n.
gift; (catholic usage) offertory
ònyìnyò
n.
shadow
ife ònyìnyò
image; likeness; resemblance
òòbò
n.
heap (shortened form of òbùbò)
òòbò ifē
heap of something
òòbò ọkū, òbùbò
furnace, heap of coal, charcoal, etc.; fire
ọkū
-tụ òòbò
pile; heap up
òpì
n.
animal horn; horn, pipe, used as musical instrument
òpi àchàlà
Peugeot 404 (so called because of streamlined shape; lit. horn
of bamboo)
òpì ụgbògùlù
pumpkin leaf stalk (tube-like) (lit: pumpkin tube)
-gbu òpì
blow horn, bugle
opòpò
n.
sapling (also opòpò osisi) (= ìpopo)
opotò, obotò
n.
used in:
opotò, obotò ọkū
burning coal; embers; heap of glowing charcoal (= òbùbò
ọkū)
òpùnè
n.
soft spot (of a thing like a covered pit, the top of which is
however still so soft that it can give way if the top is pressed
hard or stepped upon)
òpùnè isī
anterior fontanelle
òpùnè isi āzụ
posterior fontanelle
orī
n.
theft
ori ifelē
shameful theft
ife orī
stolen goods
onye orī
thief
òrì
n.
see -ŋe òfì, òrì
òrìmìlì
n.
river (large); sea; ocean
òrìmìlì nnū
sea; ocean
oke òrìmìlì
sea; ocean
oru
n.
twenty; score
oru ìbùa
forty; two score
262
oru nà òfu
twenty-one
oru nà àbùa
twenty-two
bèlị ōfu n’oru
nineteen (lit., remove one from twenty)
orù
n.
slave
-gba orù
work as slave:
N'ogè kịtāà madù adā àgbazịlị ibè ya orù Nowadays no one
works as a slave for another
-gbapù n’orù
redeem from slavery, servitude
ndi orù
slaves
-pù n’orù
be free from slavery
ose 1.
n.
waterside
ose àkwà
waterside at Ihīàlà
ose ngwò
raphia palm wine tapped from palms at the river or stream
bank
ose ogbē Ījọ
waterside where the Ịjọ reside
ose òkwòọdū
bank of River Niger
ose 2.
n.
foreleg, forequarter, shoulder of animal carcase
ose anū
see ose
osè
n.
pepper
osè agwō
weak alligator pepper
osē ànì
kind of uncooked soup, made of fried groundnuts or egusi,
ìsha (crayfish), and pounded yam
osè nwamkpi
goat pepper, used by children to play cooking
osè oyìbo
large pepper (lit. English pepper)
osè ọjī
alligator pepper (Aframọmum melegueta K. Schum.) (lit. kola
pepper; usually chewed with kola)
-kwọ osè
grind pepper
ǹkwọ òsè
pepper-grinder (stone, machine, etc.)
mkpụlụ osè
seed of pepper
-zọ osè
transplant pepper
òsè
n.
A. puller; drawer
B. epilepsy; convulsions; meningitis (loosely used for various
diseases with convulsive attacks) (from -sè 1. pull)
òsèkpaàkpaà,
epilepsy
òsèkpaàkpaà
òseāka
n.
vagabond; prodigal; spendthrift; ne’er-do-well
nwa òseāka
prodigal son
Òsebùlu-ùwà
n.
The Great God
òsèkè
n.
native spade
osi
n.
tree (when followed by name of the tree; cf. osisi) e.g. osi
ụkwà African Breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne.) tree
òsịālị
n.
witness (-sị àlị witness)
-gba òsịālị
bear witness
263
onye ōsiālị
a witness
osiamā
n.
anvil
òsikapa
n.
rice
osisi 1.
n.
tree, stick
osisi anyikē
wooden handle of axe
akwụkwọ osisi
leaf of tree
anaka osisi
branch of tree
àtùtù osisi
sap of tree
-bù osisi
uproot tree
-gha mkpụlụ osisi
sow seeds (broadcast)
ibe osisi
part of tree (split from the main body)
-lùdo osisi
stick a stick into the ground
mkpìlìsì osisi
stump of tree
mkpụlụ osisi
fruit
mmili osisi
sap
oke osisi
(fig.) great person (lit. great tree)
okpòlò osisi
rod of wood; stalk of plant; stem of young tree or sapling
opòpò, ìpopo osisi
sapling
ukwù osisi
stump of tree
ùmì osisi
(sweet) juice of fruit
ùtụ osisi
sawdust, powder from dry wood as a result of grub activity
inside the wood
-zọ osisi
transplant tree; plant tree cuttings
osisi 2.
n.
shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa)
òsìmìlì, òsìmìrì
n.
river (usually refers to Niger)
osòmà, osòmè
n.
affliction; distress; great trouble (e.g. court cases); danger;
evil
òsu
n.
person dedicated as slave to service of a deity, or whose
ancestors were so dedicated; thus the son of an òsu is an òsu.
Moreover anyone who is proved to have had contact with an
òsu also becomes an òsu
-gbana n’òsu
seek refuge with a deity
ndi ōsu
outcasts; people owned by deities
òti
n.
knocker; beater (-ti 1. beat)
òti īsi
headache (lit. head-knocker)
òtimkpọkọ
n.
old, worn vehicle, etc.; beat-up object (-ti kpọkọ beat noisily)
òtitè
n.
the greatest feast, held at the end of the harvesting of 'tuber'
yams
òtòbò
n.
hippopotamus
otogbō
n.
A. any long gown, robe (e.g. surplice)
B. (fig.) any greatly oversized piece of clothing
otoko
n.
thigh
òtòlò
n.
dysentery; diarrhoea
264
(òtòlò) -gbagbu die of dysentery, diarrhoea:
Òtòlò gbàbue gī May you be killed by dysentery
òtòtò
n.
flower
otu
n.
waterside; riverbank
Otu ìkwọ
Onitsha main market
otu òkwòọdū
waterside of Onitsha
Otu Ònìchà
Onitsha market, hence town
otù 1.
n.
large size:
Nnwa à dì otù This is a big baby
otù nnī
big lump of food
otù nnwā
heavily-built person
otù 2.
n.
one (cf. òfu, the more typical Onitsha form)
òtù
n.
organised band, company, club
òtù egwū
dancing club:
Abù m onye òtù egwu ọjà I am a member of the egwu ọjà
club
òtuū Kraìst
Christianity
onye òtuū Kraìst
a Christian:
Ndùbeezè bù ezigbo onye òtuū Kraìst Ndùbeeze is a good
devoted Christian
ndị òtuū Kraìst
the Christians
òtù ndị nkụzi
teachers' association:
Abù m onye òtù ndị nkụzi I am a member of the teachers'
association
òtu ōgbọ
age group, grade
òtù ụmù òkolọbìà
young men’s society
-rò òtù
discriminate; choose group, society, club
otùbò
n.
navel; umbilicus
otùgolu
n.
ladder (cf. obē)
òtùnè
n.
A. buttocks
B. anus
òtùtò, òtùto
n.
praise; glory (- praise):
Òtùto dìlị Chinēkè na-ebe kāchasị enū Glory be to God in
the highest:
Tòo Chukwu Praise God
abù òtùto
songs of praise
otùtù 1.
n.
blacksmith's hammer (the biggest of all the blacksmith's
hammers). This tool is ceremonially the most important item
for an apprentice who has just completed his period of
apprenticeship and is going to set up as a master blacksmith,
in that it is symbolic of his master's status. On the day of the
celebration of his freedom, which features much feasting, the
otùtù is set on a stool in the middle of the gathering of master
265
smiths who were invited to the occasion. Shortly before the
celebration is over the young master is called to the middle.
The master holds out the otùtù towards the young master as
one who is handing to another a staff of office. The master
recites some blessings and incantations, at the end of which he
hands the otùtù to the young master. An apprentice who has
completed his course but who has not completed his
obligations (usually monetary) is not given the otùtù and his
freedom is not celebrated. The apprentice can leave his master
for some period in search of money. He sometimes has to
secure a temporary job, like farm labour, to get the required
money, both for his training fees and for the celebration
expenses. He then comes back to do the freedom celebration.
To every master smith the otùtù is the most important item in
his tools, for though it is rarely used because of its weight, the
blacksmith, particularly the non-Christian one, kills cocks on
top of his otùtù from time to time and on special occasions,
letting the blood pour over the otùtù. Afterwards some down
is scattered on top of the wet blood, which sticks it firmly to
the otùtù
otùtù 2.
n.
conical basket for fishing
òtutu
n.
intoxication
Òwèlè, Òwèrè
n.
Owerri:
Achòlù m ijē Òwèrè I want to go to Owerri
òwèlè, òwèlè
n.
A. outskirts of a town; bush around a town
B. backyard immediately beyond the compound wall
ụzō òwèlè
path to the back of the compound or outskirts of town
òwu, òwulù
n.
cotton; cotton wool, plant, thread
òwu akpū
kapok from akpụ tree
òwu īduù
physic nut (Jatropha curcas Linn.) used for hedging; the sap
stains indelibly, seeds are purgative
òwu isī
black cotton thread used by women for plaiting the hair
òwu ọkū, ukpē
wick
-gba òwu
thread
-tụ òwu
spin; make thread
owùmaàgànà
n.
chameleon
Oyè, Olìè
n.
an Ìgbò market day, following Èke, personified as an alūsị
oyī 1.
n.
cold; chill; fever:
Oyī nà-àtụ It is cold:
Ọfịa dī n’àzụ ụnò akwụkwọ āyị nà-àtụ oyī The bush at the
back of our school is cold (causes cold):
Enwèlù m oyī I have fever
Oyī jì m Fever has gripped me, or I am feverish (more acute
than Enwèlù m oyī)
266
oyi ụgùlù
harmattan cold
ajō oyi
rheumatism
akwà oyī
blanket
-jụ oyī
be cold:
Kùtelụ m mmili jūlụ oyī Bring me cold water
mmili oyī
cold water:
Kùtelụ m mmili oyī Bring me cold water
(oyī) -tụ
feel cold, chilly:
Oyī nà-àtụ m I am feeling cold, chill.
ǹmoyī
cold; cold weather
oyī 2.
n.
ugly, nauseating appearance
-sọ oyī
disgust; be ugly to; be ugly (e.g. faeces or jagged ulcer)
-yi oyī
be ugly, nauseating:
Abụ afū tāsalụ n’ànì ụnò nà-èyi m oyī The pus which has
poured on the floor is ugly to me
oyìbo
n.
white person; European; foreign (added to name of anything
to denote that the thing is foreign or European in origin, or
when something of a different species (usually better), but of
foreign origin, exists side by side with the local species)
afà oyìbo
English name
akụ oyìbo = akụ
(lit. European kernel) coconut
bèkeè
ego oyìbo
(lit. European money) name given to the present currency
when it existed side by side with cowrie currency
ji òyìbò, òyìbe
Yellow Guinea Yam (Dioscorea cayenensis)
mmanya oyìbo
gin; imported wine or spirits
nzu oyìbo
chalk; lime
ògèdè oyìbo
pawpaw
òke oyìbo
guinea-pig
òlòma oyìbo
grapefruit
osè oyìbo
large pepper
òkụkò oyìbo
fowls kept by agricultural settlements and institutions. It is
called European because it was introduced by the Agricultural
Department and is also larger than the local type
ọkwụlụ oyìbo
pawpaw; papaya
Ọlụ Oyìbo
civil service
ùbe oyìbo
pear
ùde oyìbo
factory-prepared pomade
ụgbọ oyìbo
steamer
ùwà ndi oyìbo
luxurious pleasure-loving way of life or living; extravagant
life (lit. the world of white people)
òyòoyò
n.
beautiful:
Ọ nùtàlù òyòoyò nwaànyì He married a very beautiful
267
woman
òze, òze
n.
lead
òzè
n.
kind of fruit-bearing tree
ozi
n.
message; errand; housework
Ozi ọma the Gospel; good news, message:
Ozi ọma dịkà Luùk dèlù yà n’akwụkwọ The Gospel
according to Saint Luke
-gbasà Ozi ọma
spread the Gospel
-je ozi
go on a message; serve; do housework
ndị ozī
messengers; the Apostles:
Ọlụ Ndị Ozī The Acts of the Apostles
onye ozī
messenger
-ra ozi
send on errand
-zì ozi
send, deliver a message:
Achòlù m izì gì ozi I want to send you on an errand, or I want
to deliver a message to you:
Jèbenù ebe niīne izīsà Ozi Ọma Go everywhere to spread
the Gospel
òzì
n.
kind of drum played only for kings and chiefs on special
occasions
òzìgbo
quickly; immediately; straight away; instantly:
Mèe yā òzìgbo Do it immediately:
Ọ gà-àrapū gī òzìgbo It (he/she) will leave you immediately:
Ọ mèlù yà òzìgbo fù He has just quickly done it
òzìgbo òzìgbo!
for emphasis the word can be repeated, meaning immediately,
instantly
ozu
n.
corpse; whole carcase; (fig.) worthless, good-for-nothing
person:
Ozu kà ị bù You are a worthless, hopeless person
ozu efī
carcase of cow
akpàtì ozū
coffin
-bọ ozu
exhume a body
inì ozū
cemetery; burial ground; burial place
-nì ozu
bury corpse
-kwa ozu
perform a funeral
oke ozū
great man
268
ọ, o
pron.
(dependent, 3rd pers. sg.; harmonizes with following verb) he;
she; it:
Ò bịago? Has he/she/it come?
O jèlù afịa He/she has gone to market
o mēekwe m (= o
I cannot
mā ekwe m)
o mekwa
afterwards
o mèkwa
or else; otherwise; if not; failing this
o mèzì
or else; otherwise; if not; failing this
o nwee
if; suppose; supposing that
ọ bụlụgodu
if; even if; though
ọ bụlụzịa
if it happens; if it later happens that...
ò bụnā, ò bụnāda,
if; even; even if:
ò bụnādụ
Bikō nye m nwantịntị egō ò bụnāda (ò bụnādụ) kọbò
Please give me some money, even a kobo
ò bụràba
even; even if; although; be it:
Nnwa nà-àgụ m ò bụràba nwaànyì I want a child, even a
girl
-ọ
see -a
ọbā 1.
n.
place where yams are stacked and stored; barn:
Jèe wètalụ m ji naàbò n’ọbā Go and bring me two yams
from the barn
-gu ọbā
make a barn of yams
-ke ọbā
bind yams
ọbā 2.
n.
(colloq.) king; chief; used for the king of Benin; title
ọbà
n.
calabash
Òbà
n.
A. name of a town
B. (colloq.) palm wine (prob. in origin from town name, since
Òbà is a centre for palm and raphia wine)
òbàgwù
see òbògwù
ọbàlà
n.
bark of ọfòlò or ọtōsị
òbàlà
n.
blood
afọ òbàlà
dysentery
òbàla òbàlà
red, reddish:
Anya gī nà-àcha òbàla òbàlà Your eye is red
-gba òbàlà
bleed; shed blood:
Aka m nà-àgba òbàlà My hand is bleeding
òbàlàkeèt
n.
blanket (E.)
òbàǹte
n.
pants; underwear
ọbē, ọbelē
see obē, obelē
269
ọbìà
n.
entertainment:
Kà m nue yā ọbìà Let me entertain him
-ne ọbìà, -nu ọbìà
offer entertainment:
Anà m ène ụmùakā bīalụ nà be m ọbìà I am entertaining the
children who came to my house
onye ọbìà
(often shortened to ọbìà) stranger; guest; visitor (= onye òrà):
Abù m ọbìà n’ebe à I am a stranger here:
Enwèlù m onye ọbìà I have a visitor
ọbọ
n.
sheath (of knife, sword, etc.)
ọbọ mmà
sheath of knife, sword, etc:
Tìnye mmà n’ọbọ Sheathe the knife, sword
ọbò 1.
n.
vengeance; revenge
-bò ọbò
avenge; revenge:
Àdịrō m abò ọbò I do not take vengeance
ọbò 2.
see ọbù 1., 2.
òbò 1.
n.
laziness; idleness:
Achòrò m ijē afịa, mà òbò ekwērọ m I want to go to market,
but I feel too lazy:
Òbò nà-èsi m ijē sụ akwà I am too lazy to wash my clothes
òbò 2.
n.
a general name for fish in the Mormyridae family; elephant-
snout fish
òbò asā
Mormyrops deliciosus
òbò ọdàa
Mormyrus rume
òbò ọnụ ogonogo
Gnathonemus tamandua
òbògwù, òbàgwù
n.
(cf. òdògwùmà) duck
ọbụ
see ọgbụ
ọbù, ọbò 1.
n.
pit-trap; pit for snaring animals
-dà ọbù
fall into pit-trap: (Proverb)
Ò jọfùlù àkù nnà ya n’ụjō sì nà enyi nà-adàa ọbù tanaa
The person who was too cowardly to reclaim his father's
wealth said that elephants fall into pit-traps and perish. (Used
when appealing to someone who has suffered some loss to
forget and stop brooding over it)
ọbù 2. ọbò
n.
used in:
ọbù akā
palm of hand
ọbù ụkwū
sole of foot
òbụ
see ògbụ
òbụbụū
n.
caterpillar (= ègu)
òbụnà, òbùnà
any; every
èkpe ōbụnà
whenever; any time
ife ōbụnà, òbùnà
anything; everything:
Nye m ife ōbụnà Give me anything
mgbe ōbụnà
any time; every time
270
mmadū ōbụnà,
everybody; any person; every person:
òbùnà
Mmadū ōbụnà gà-anòdị ànì Every person shall sit down
ǹke ōbụnà
either; whichever
onye ōbụnà, òbụnà
anyone; everyone; (with negative verb) no one:
Onye ōbụnà (òbùnà) abà n’ime ụnò Let no one enter the
room:
Onye ōbụnà bàa ime ụnò! Let everybody (everyone) enter
into the room!
ọcha
n.
white; clean; pure; undefiled
ànì ọcha
A. dry land, not overflowed in wet season
B. Ìgbò land
àrụ ọcha
leprosy
arụrụ ọcha
sugar-ant
ịbà ọcha (= ịbà
jaundice
mmānụ)
nnekwu ọcha
white hen:
Agà m ègbu òfu nnekwu ọcha taàtà I am going to kill a
white hen to-day
onye ọcha
white person:
Òfu nwokē onye ọcha bì n’ụnō ānyị A white man lives in
our house
ọnà ọcha nà ọnā
silver and gold; (fig.) beautiful luxuries
ēdo
ọnà ọcha
silver
ònà ọcha
white variety of Dioscorea dumetorum Pax
òcha
n.
whiteness; cleanliness; purity:
Achòlù m òcha na-enwērọ ntùpọ I want spotless white: (fig.)
Òchâ dì mmā, òjî dì mmā White is good, black is good
(meaning all is welcome, acceptable to me without
discrimination):
Aka m dì òcha My hands are clean (lit. and fig.):
Ụmù m bikō dòo nù ònwe ụnù òcha My children, please
keep yourselves undefiled:
Ngọzị nà-àdịlị ndi dī ọcha n’obì Blessed are the pure in heart
òchà
n.
wild animal whose horn is made into an òpì, a transversely
blown signal horn
òchàǹ
n.
A. a small oil-lamp with cloth wick
B. the market in Onitsha formerly called Àlàhàmbrà was
named after this, because the lamp was used in the market,
which was held in the evening
C. now, the name of a motor park (on the same site)
D. (colloq.) anything inferior or fake
ọche
see oche
271
ọchì
n.
laughter; mockery (-chì make sound with effort)
òchịchị
n.
rule; government; ruling (-chị 1. C. rule, govern)
òchịchịī
n.
darkness
-gbà anya ōchịchịī
have dim vision
-gbà òchịchịī
be, get, dark
òchọògù
n.
praying mantis (lit. looking for a fight)
ọchù
n.
homicide; murder; manslaughter
-gbu ọchù
commit murder, manslaughter
ọdā
n.
basket
ọdà
n.
permit; permission
ọdàchi
n.
stumbling block; obstacle; hindrance; tragic event (from -
dàchi hinder, fall across):
Nyè efè màkà ọdàchi You must allow for delays
òdì-
being; state; condition; used as first element of nouns formed
for phrases with -dị be
òdìbendi
custom (from -dị be ndi be in the home of people; cf.
òmenàànì)
òdìegwù
the tragic; the wonderful
òdìkòọdīrọ ya
hypocrisy; pretence; uncertain state, character (cf. iru naàbò)
òdìmmā
A. well-being; prosperity
B. friend (in good or bad sense)
àrụ ikē nà òdìmmā
good health and well-being; well-being
Obì ọma nà-ewèta òdìmmā Kindness promotes good
relations
òdìnàànì
custom
òdìniiru
future
òdìnjọ
calamity; adverse circumstances; misfortune
òdìnoobì
sweetheart; favourite
òdìọfụū
the new
ọdò
n.
obstacle under water, such as tree-trunk or stone
òdọ
n.
area where a particular thing is plentiful
òdọ akpū
area full of cassava-farms
òdọ mmīli
pool, pit where rainwater collects; reservoir
òdògwùmà
n.
(cf. òbògwù) duck
òdọlụkòọdò
n.
title-name taken by or given to a wealthy person;
inexhaustible wealth
ọdụ
n.
advice; exhortation; warning
-dù ọdụ
advise; warn:
Dùa nnwā gị ọdụ Warn your child
ọdū 1.
n.
pestle
ọdū 2.
n.
elephant tusk
ọdụ akā
ivory bracelet
ọdụ enyī
elephant tusk
272
ọdụ ụkwū
anklet of ivory (or copper)
ọdù 1.
n.
A. seat
-nò ọdù
A. sit down:
Nòdị ọdù Sit down
B. stay long:
Ànọrọ m ọdù ebe m jèlù I did not stay long where I went
-dọ ọdù
sit down (in speaking to children)
B. particular place where a trader stays in the market; stall;
small market-shelter; part of market devoted to a particular
commodity
ọdù azụ
area of market where fish is sold
-dọ ọdù
sit in the market at one's stall, or at a particular section of
market
ọdù 2., ọdùdù
n.
A. tail:
Ọdù nkịtā ǹkaà ètoka The tail of this dog is very long
B. the rear, last, youngest:
Oyèọmâ bù ọdùdù nnwā Èzèmbà Oyeọma is the last-born
child of Mr Ezemba
ọdù akā
little finger
ọdù anyā
corner of the eye
ọdū jī
tail-end of yam
ọdù ụkwū
little toe
òdùdù
n.
plant for hedging, with edible leaves
òdùdù okè
plant planted along boundaries
òdùm
n.
A. lion
B. any animal or person of great size and strength
òfalà
n.
festival marked by ritual public appearance of kings (esp. of
Ònìchà, Ògidi, Nnoòbì, etc.)
-gba òfalà
celebrate the òfalà festival
ọfe, etc.
see ofe, etc.
ọfịa
n.
bush; uninhabited country; forest; jungle
ajō ọfịa
A. a piece of land dedicated to a god
B. a piece of land where people who die of serious diseases
(e.g. smallpox, leprosy) or whose death is mysterious, are
buried (lit. bad forest)
anụ ọfīa
wild animal; (fig.) stupid, foolish person
efi ọfīa
bush-cow; buffalo (Syncerus caffer beddingtoni Lyd.)
ènwè ọfīa
wild monkey
ezì ọfīa
bush pig; red river hog
-fèga ọfịa
prepare forest for planting by propitiating the gods concerned
nkịta ọfīa
tree bear or tree-hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis sylvestris
Temm.)
oke ọfīa
thick bush; jungle
273
òke ọfīa
bush rat
-sụ ọfịa
cut bush
-wa ọfịa
wander in, explore, the forest
òfọ
n.
A. symbol of justice, righteousness, and the authority which
descends from the ancestors, represented by small piece of
wood; right; guarantee of truth; (sometimes) part of the regalia
of the umù alūsị
-gọ òfọ
bless with òfọ, the soul or emblem of kingship
-jì òfọ
be just in one's actions; (slogan) Òme īfe jìde ōfọ Let the doer
of a deed be just in what he does: (slogan)
Èjìmòfọò kà ọgwù Being just and upright is greater than juju;
i.e. the person who is just and upright in his deeds will
overpower or surpass in might the person who merely trusts in
juju, charms
-kụ òfọ
knock òfọ on the ground (of a priest in giving judgement)
-nwe òfọ
be innocent, in the right, just
-sù òfọ
knock the stick representing the god of justice (òfọ) on the
ground
B. the tree from which the wood representing òfọ is cut
(Detarium senegalense J.F. Gmel.)
C. male name
òfọ 2.
n.
used in:
òfọ ògòlì, ògèlì
prodigal; spendthrift; womaniser:
Ọjì bù òfọ ògèlì Ọjị is a wild character
ọfòlò
n.
stripped midrib of raphia palm, used as utum
-dụ ọfòlò
punt
ọfù
n.
dream; vision
-fụ ọfù
see a vision; prophesy
ọfùlìfù
n.
"up-wine" from crown of nkwụ
ọfụlū
see ọfụū
òfụma
n.
properly; well
-ga òfụma
prosper; succeed; go well
-je òfụma
go well
-me òfụma
do well:
Mèe yā òfụma Do it well
ọfụū, ọfụlū
n.
newness:
Àfe à dì ọfụū/ọfụlū This shirt is new:
Ọfụū ya pùtàlù ìfè Its newness is apparent
abù ọfụū
new hymn book
Àgbà ọfụū New Testament
àkùkù ọfụū
new piece of slang
akwụkwọ ọfụlū,
new book
ọfụū
274
ji ọfụū
new yam
ndepùta ọfụū
new edition
nwa ọfụū
newborn child
onye ọfụū
newcomer
ùwà ọfụū
modern world; nowadays:
Proverb: Òkụkò ọfụū amārọ ànì ò wèlụ òfu ụkwū èje Lit. A
new fowl moves about on one leg (meaning, a new person in a
place usually behaves with extra caution)
òga
n.
master; used in addressing someone whose name is unknown
(Yoruba)
ògàalụ
n.
a creeping plant whose yellow juice is used to decorate the
body
ògàcha
n.
(slang) beautiful, glamorous person, usually a woman;
prostitute
ògàlànyà
n.
one rich in money, goods or children
-ba ògàlànyà
become, grow rich:
Òyì m nwokē Ịbā àbago ògàlànyà My friend Ịba has
become rich
ògàzì
n.
guineafowl
ògàzị m
African pike (Hepsetus odoe) ( = ògba)
àkwa ògàzì
egg of guineafowl
ọgè, ògèdè
see ogè, ògèdè
ọgịlịga
n.
rib
ògịnì
n.
brown striped rat
ọgò
n.
in-law
ọgò nwaàyì,
mother-in-law; any female relative by marriage
nwaànyì
ọgò nwokē
father-in-law; any male relative by marriage
-gò ọgò
perform duties of a relation by marriage
ògò
n.
kindness; a present
-ma ògò
be grateful, polite, well-behaved, modest, courteous
amā ògò
ingratitude
òmụma ògò
gratitude (lit. appreciation of kindness)
-me ògò
give a present; do a kindness
ògòdò
n.
loin-cloth
-ma ògòdò
wear, tie wrapper; be dressed in wrapper
-wà ògòdò
A. wear loin-cloth
B. (fig.) be of age, adolescent; reach puberty
ògòlò
n.
(= ngwò) raphia palm-wine; raphia palm (Raphia hookeri
Mann and Wendl.) (cf. Yoruba ògòrò)
mmanya ògòlò
raphia palm-wine
ọgòm ajiī
n.
fish (Phago loricatus)
ọgụ
n.
20 (esp. in multiples); score
275
ọgụ arò
20 years:
Nnwa m àgbàgo ọgụ arò My child is already 20 years old
ọgụ īse
one hundred; five score:
Ọgụ arò ìse gālụ aga 100 years ago
ọgù
n.
hoe
ụsụ ọgù
fruit-bat
ògụ
n.
(-gụ 1. count) used in:
ògụ ākwụkwọ
reader; scholar
ògụ ēgwu
singer; minstrel
ògụ ìsà
chatterbox (esp. women and children)
ògù
n.
fight; fighting; war
ògù ikpe ōmụma
an unjust fight
ògù ụnò
fighting between people of same town or village
-gba ògù
side with; defend; fight for
-gbò ògù
part (antagonists, fighters, combatants)
ife ògù
arms, weapon(s)
mgba n’ògù
strife, conflict
-nù ògù
fight:
Ọ nà-anū ògù He is fighting
-nụsò ògù
fight, war against:
Agà m ànụsō yā ògù I shall fight against him
òche ògù
praying mantis
onye nnụsō ògù
an enemy
ògùgò
n.
joy; gladness
(ògùgò) -gbu
be happy
Ògùgò nà-ègbu m I am happy (because of a specific thing)
-gbu ògùgò
gladden:
Ife ọ gà-ewètalụ m nà-ègbu m ògùgò Something he is going
to bring for me is making me happy
ògụgùa
n.
A. comforter, consoler
B. male name (-gù-gù comfort)
ọgbà 1.
n.
stile
ọgbà ụnò enū
(= step) staircase; ladder to upper room
ọgbà 2.
n.
cave
ògba
n.
African pike (Hepsetus odoe) (= ògàzị m)
ògbà
n.
row; line (mwù)
ògbà agū
secret night society (using agụ ọgbà); leopard society
ògbaā tumtum
n.
motor-cycle (-gba 1. C.iii 'shoot' + noun agent prefix +
tumtum 'sound of motor-cycle')
ògbàdụ
n.
maize (Zea mays Linn.) (= ọkà)
-gbasị ògbàdụ
rub off grains from maize cob
-ŋa ògbàdụ
roast corn
ògbakasị
n.
chickenpox
276
ọgbàlà
n.
punting pole
ògbànchi
n.
decorated iron or brass staff or spear of a chief
ògbanje
n.
(= nwa ōgbanje) (from -gba nje make several trips to and
from a place; lit. maker of several trips or recurrent visitor)
'repeater'; child believed to belong to a band in the world of
spirits to which he/she returns in infancy; from there he goes
back to his mother's womb to be born again, only to die and
return to the spirit world again in infancy. Ògbanje is born
several times, dying each time and returning to the world of
spirits. A mother who experiences frequent child mortality is
believed to be visited by a member or members of the ògbanje
group. The new-born baby is regarded as the one who died
last; and the child's death is to be expected any time, unless a
native doctor specialist in ògbanje spirits is provided and
performs successfully certain rituals which include the
ògbanje object known as iyi ògbanje or iyi ùwà, on which
the ògbanje swore to return to the spirit world. The place
where the object is hidden is known only to the doctor and the
ògbanje. (But an ògbanje can decide to stay and live to old
age without the native doctor's rituals and/or propitiation to
the other members of his particular ògbanje band.)
Sometimes a part of the dead ògbanje's body, e.g. a finger or
an ear, is amputated, and as proof that it was the same child
who returns next time it is believed that such amputated parts
are missing on the new baby's body. The amputation of parts
of the body is done in the belief that the ògbanje would feel
the pain and/or shame and on the next return to the world
would remember it and refuse to die again. An ògbanje who
stays is given excessive petting and care to the disadvantage
of the other children. The parents who have suffered greatly at
the hands of the ògbanje and become improverished do
everything possible in order to prevent a recurrence of the
bitter experience. The ògbanje behaves in his own peculiar
way. Sometimes his character and physical features may bear
no resemblance to those of any member of the family. The
surviving ògbanje sometimes exploits this difference and the
special treatment of his parents ruthlessly and selfishly by, for
instance, demanding that a particular kind of clothes must be
bought for him, otherwise the parents run the risk of losing
him. Certain proper names are often though not invariably
given to surviving ògbanjes. The names are believed to help
in preventing the ògbanje from returning to the world of
spirits. The names include Nònyelụm stay with me; Nwoōsu
the son of òsu (but this does not make such a child an òsu. It
277
is meant to bring shame on the ògbanje as explained above).
ọgbe etc.
see ogbe, etc.
ọgbìlìgbà
n.
chain:
Ndị orī bīalụ n’ebe à n’anyàsì jì ọgbìlìgbà kùdo onye nche
n’osisi The thieves who came here last night used a chain to
chain the watchman to the tree
ògbọ
n.
age-set
n’ògbọ
together; in common
otu ōgbọ
age-set association
ògbò
n.
place farmed at least once before
ọgbòdògbò
n.
thigh
ọgbòdògbò alā
abnormally heavy, large and long breasts
ògbònò, àgbònò
n.
seed of tree ugilī (Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex
O'Rorke) Baill.); the pulpy yellowish fruit resembles a small
mango. The seeds are widely used in making soup
ọgbụ, ọbụ
n.
rope, tether for animals
ògbụ, òbụ
n.
type of fig tree planted in the compound and used for feeding
livestock (Ficus eriobotryoides Kunth. and Bouche) and in
many cases for shade. It represents Ànì and is planted at her
shrines. The sap is pure white and can serve as rubber
ògbụ chī
fig-tree planted to represent one's Chi
ọgbūgba
n.
gourd prepared for fetching water
ọghà
n.
abomination; forbidden thing
ọghēle
see oghēle
ọghìlìghò
n.
cluster of empty palmnuts
òghọm̄
n.
mistake; mishap; loss:
Ife kpātalụ nà òtụtụ mmādù adī àgba mgbele bù màkà nà
fa nà-àtụ egwū òghọm The reason why many people do not
trade is because of their fear of loss
ògwa
n.
verandah; porch; covered gateway; reception room
ọgwè
see ogwè
ògwọ
n.
used in:
ògwọ ǹnù ọyà
panacea; medicine capable of curing all disease (lit. curer of
400 diseases)
ògwọ òyà
doctor (lit. curer of diseases)
ọgwù
n.
A. root
B. medicine; poison; charm; "juju"; sorcery
ọgwù afō
purgative
ọgwù akā
whitlow (on the finger or hand)
ọgwù ịbà
a medicine for fever
ọgwǔ jī
A. yam medicine, obtained from Nri by surrounding peoples
B. pesticide; fertilizer
ọgwū ūde
kind of native medicine prepared and stored in a bottle with
278
palm-kernel oil, used for curing convulsions, poisoning
afịfịa ọgwù
herb (for the preparation of native medicine)
-gba ọgwù
inject (drug with syringe)
-gbunye ọgwù
cut up and bring together into a pot various herbs, roots and
other ingredients of native medicine
-gwọ ọgwù
prepare medicine
-kọ ọgwù
practice sorcery against
-rụ ọgwù
A. neutralise effect of poison
B. To prove that food or drink presented by the host to his
guests have not been poisoned, the host usually tastes every
eatable thing presented before his guests. This is called ịrū
(nni) ọgwù
ụnò ọgwù
hospital; dispensary; nursing home
òjà
n.
wooden whistle; flutes played in sets; (arch.) spheroidal
ocarina made from bush-orange (Oncoba spinosa) shell used
to send message in war
-gbu òjà
blow whistle
òkwa òjà
whistle-player
ọjị, ọjī
n.
A. kolanut, the giving and receiving of which symbolizes
ritual relations of homage and hospitality; anything presented
with, or instead of, kola
ọjị ùgò
white kola
àkpà ọjī
pod of kolanut
-che ọjị
give kolanut
isi ọjī
germinal sprout of kola
ose ọjī
alligator pepper (lit. kola pepper, because usually chewed with
kola)
-ta ọjị
chew kolanut
ndi ōta ōjị
nickname used only by the Igbo to describe the Yoruba
-wa ọjị
break kola
279
B. bribe; tip
ọjì
n.
A. iroko tree, Milicia excelsa (Welw.) Benth.
ọjì anwū
kind of ọjì with leaves less broad than that of ọjì; false iroko
(Antiaris africana Engl.)
àbalà ọjì
fruit of iroko (used for feeding goats, sheep, etc.)
àzụ ọjì
carved iroko panel in door or wall
-tùtù ọjì
pick iroko leaves (for feeding livestock, e.g. goats, sheep, etc.)
B. male name
òjògòlò
n.
casting-net
ọjọō
n.
bad, evil
ife ọjọō
bad; evil thing or deed:
Ị nà-ème m ife ọjọō You are doing evil to me
iru ọjọō
bad omen
isi ọjọō
bad luck
ọnòdù ọjọō
bad condition, position, state
ùdị ọjọō
bad kind, form, being nature
ùwà ọjọō ǹkaà
this sinful world
Ọka
n.
Awka
ọkà
n.
corn; maize (Zea mays Linn.) (= ògbàdụ)
ọkà ìŋarị, ìŋàrịì
millet
-gwe ọkà
pound corn
-kụ ọkà
plant maize
Òbi adī àkụ ọkà Obi never plants maize on his farm
-kpọ ọkà
remove the grains from the ear of maize
-kpọsị ọkà
rub off grains of corn from cob
-kwọ ọkà
grind corn
ǹga mkpụlụ ọkà
life imprisonment
nni ọkà
pap; àgìdi
òka
n.
used in:
òka elùlò, òka ìlòlò
counsellor; thinker; adviser
òkà 1.
n.
mightiest; greatest; expert; specialist; used in:
òkà àka
A. the mightiest; greatest
B. male name
òkà ekwukwū
chatterbox
òkà malaàjụ
person who is fond of asking questions, inquisitive person
òkà okwū
orator; eloquence
òkà ụtā
archer
òkà 2.
see àkà 3.
òkàlà
n.
A. half; part; portion
òkàlà arò
mid-year
òkàlà naàbò
two halves:
Kèe yā òkàlà naàbò Divide it into two equal parts
òkàlà ọnwā
half-month
280
ọtụlụ òkàlà
paralysis of one half of the body; hemiplegia and paraplegia
B. short cloth tied as sign of reaching puberty
òkàǹgà, òkàǹga
n.
A. type of music; set of three ceremonial drums, used with òjà
during the Òfalà feast
ìgba òkàǹ
drum of the Igwē of Àgùleèrì
B. masquerade
òkazì
n.
plant used in soup (Gnetum spp.)
ọkè, òkè
see okè, òkè
ọkìkà
n.
tattoo (cf. nkì)
-gbu ọkìkà
tattoo (cf. -dọ nkì)
ọkìlì
n.
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus)
ọkìlị mgbawa īsi
constant severe head-ache, believed to be caused by medicine
involving ọkìlì
ọkìlìkà 1.
n.
thorny climbing plant
ọkìlìkà 2.
n.
used in:
-ti ọkìlìkà
chisel, sharpen teeth cosmetically (esp. by Ànam people)
òkìlìkà 3.
n.
second-hand clothing
òkịtịkpā,
see kịtịkpā
òkịtịkpākpa
ọkọ
n.
crawcraw; itch; rashes (of body)
-kọ ọkọ
itch; irritate:
Anya nà-àkọ m ọkọ My eye itches
òkọ īsi
barbar
ọkọchì
n.
dry season:
Ọkọchì nà-àbịa The dry season is approaching
òkòlòkọlọ
n.
round shape
-dị òkòlòkọlọ
be round in shape:
Nye m ìtè afū dī òkòlòkọlọ Give me that round pot
ọkòlòtò 1.
n.
flag, banner
ọkòlòtò 2.
n.
chewing-stick
òkọtọ
very many; very much; many
ọkshòm
n.
auction (E.)
-le afịa ọkshòm
sell wares at an auction
-le ọkshòm
sell at an auction; sell by auction:
Ọ chòlù ilē ife yā niīne ọkshòm She wants to sell all her
belongings by auction
ọkụ
n.
A. fire; heat
(ọkụ) -le
be hurt or touched (by fire or hot object)
ọkụ mmọọ
hell:
Ndi njọ gà-abà n’ọkụ mmọọ Sinners shall enter hell
anya ọkū
A. disease of the eye
B. fierceness of aspect
C. jealousy; envy
281
ùwà anya ọkū
envious, jealous world
àrụ ọkū
fever
-da n’ọkụ
warm (soup, etc.)
-da ọkụ
brand; cauterize
-dị ọkụ
be hot:
Ọ dì ọkụ It is hot
-fùnwu ọkụ
light a fire by blowing
-fù ọkụ
blow fire
-gụta ọkụ
fetch fire
iche ọkū
spark (lit. missile of fire)
ikelike ọkū
spark
ile ọkū
flame; spark; hot part of fire
-kpò ọkụ
be hot; be lively (of season or place)
-kpọnye ọkụ
build up fire; set fire to
-kpọ ọkụ
burn; set fire to; burn off with fire
-kwànị ọkụ 1.
(lit;) fan fire 2. (fig.) instigate someone to do something
-kwànye ọkụ
stir up a fire; accelerate a car
-le ọkụ
be hot, warm; brand with hot object; burn or touch with fire or
hot object
mkpa ọkū
matches
-mùlù ọkụ
light from (fire, etc.)
-mù ọkụ
kindle light
ntụ ọkū
ash
-nụ ọkụ
be hot
nụ ọkụ n’obì
be zealous, enthusiastic; agitate; anger; enrage
-ŋa n’ọkụ
roast
-nya ọkụ
warm oneself; bask
òòbo ọkū
furnance; heap of coal, charcoal; fire
opoto ọkū
burning coal; ember
òwu ọkū
wick
ọnà ọkū
brass
ònòkò ọkū
half-burnt piece of wood
-rụ ọkụ
broil; roast; scald; burn (of live things)
-su ọkụ
burn; set alight; set on fire
ùfìè ji ọkū
sacrifice, feast before eating new yams
B. lamp; light; lantern:
Bùtelụ m ọkụ Bring me the lamp:
Chì ọkū Show the light
ọkụ ọwā
torch
ọkụ ukpē
lamp
ọkù 1.
n.
A. wealth; riches; possession; inheritance (from - bring into
use)
-li ọkù
inherit wealth
282
B. livestock:
Ọkù adī èkwu okwū Livestock never speak (i.e. they can’t
complain)
ọkù 2.
n.
fishing (from - 1. hook)
ọkù azù
fishing:
Ọkù azù abūrọ ọlụ sīlị ike Fishing is not hard work
-je ọkù
go fishing
ndị ọkù
fishermen
òkù 1.
n.
pipe (for tobacco); snuff-box
òkụ ụtabà
tobacco pipe; snuff-box
-sè òkù
smoke pipe
B. clay bowl; plate:
Proverb: Chukwu Nnà ekwēna kà anyị fụ elikàta n’efele
èlibe n’òkù May God the Father never allow us to fall from
eating off china plates to eating off clay plates, i.e., May our
condition never revert from good to bad
òkụkò, òkụkù
n.
fowl
òkụkù abùke
kind of fowl which never grows to a large size but is tough
(usually used for sacrifice)
òkụkū ìkìkè
small fowl; pullet
ǹtu ōkụkò
soft body feathers or down of fowl
-sèli òkụkù
steal fowls (habitually, mainly for eating) (lit. draw and eat)
ùyòm ōkụkò
chicks
ùla ōkụkò
fowl-house
ọkpà 1.
n.
leg, shin (cf. ụkwụ)
ọkpà 2.
n.
shuttle
òkpa 1.
n.
stake; stick
òkpa 2.
n.
used in:
di ōkpa
term of respectful address to men in general (but strictly
elderly and responsible men, e.g. head of household)
òkpà 1.
n.
cock; also di òkpà, oke òkpà
òkpà 2.
n.
kind of nut; groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.)
òkpa ìkele
groundnut
ọkpala
n.
A. first-born son (also di ọkpala):
Abù m ọkpala nnà m I am the first-born son of my father
B. male head of a (sub)lineage, regarded as intermediary
between his lineage and the ancestors, who performs priestly
duties such as sacrificing to Ànì and whose symbol of
authority is òfọ (Uchendu 1965: 40-41)
C. (in Christian usage) the Son, Jesus Christ:
Òtùto dìlì Nnà nà Ọkpala nà Mọọ Nsō Glory be to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
D. male name
283
òkpàǹga
n.
mourning dance for a man
ọkpètè
see okpètè
ọkpìjò, ọkpì
n.
A. puffer-fish with very poisonous gall (Tetraodon fahaka)
B. great and dreaded masquerade
òkpọ 1.
n.
general name for fish in the Bagridae, Aridae and Mochokidae
families
òkpo āba
Synodontis membranaceus
òkpọ èbùnù = òkpọ
S. batensoda
isi nkịtā
òkpọ mmānụ
S. clarias, S. sorex, S. eupterus, S. ocellifer, S. gobroni, S.
nigrita
òkpọ ọcha
Clarotes laticeps and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus
òkpọ ọfū
Bagrus bayad (= ugọnọm)
òkpọ 2.
n.
fist; blow with fist; boxing
-kụ òkpọ
box
-su òkpọ
box; strike with fist
-ti òkpọ
box; strike with fist
òkpòkọ
n.
pipe (for smoking) (word used mostly by old people) (cf. òkụ
ūtabà)
ọkpọkōlọ
n.
dryness:
Àna à dì ọkpọkōlọ this land is dry
ọkpọkọrọ
n.
old and broken thing; worn-out thing
òkpọlè
n.
A. frame with wooden wheels used to teach child to walk
B. bicycle (old term)
ọkpọō
n.
dryness (cf. ọkpọkōlọ):
Fa nà-ègbulī ànà ọkpọō They are tilling a dry piece of land:
Àna à dị ọkpọō This land is dry:
Proverb: Onye isi ikō nwụa, è nìe yā n’ànì ọkpọō When a
stubborn person dies he will be buried in dry ground
isi ọkpọō
bare head:
O bù ibu n’isi ọkpọō He is carrying a load on his bare head
òkpọrọ, ùkpọrọ
n.
for nothing; in vain (cf. ǹkịtị):
Ì lò nà mụ nà-àta afụfụ n’ebe à òkpọrọ? Do you think I am
suffering here for nothing?
-gba aka ōkpọrọ
be empty-handed (cf. aka nkịtị):
Gịnī kpàtàlù nà ị gbà aka ōkpọrọ bịa ebe à? Why do you
come here empty-handed?
ọkpòsì
n.
staff; walkingstick (cf. mkpà n’aka, mkpọ)
ọkpụ 1.
n.
long; lasting; for ever; long-continued; long-standing
ọkpụ ànì
ancient; long-established
ọkpụ ezi ụzò
middle of path or road; main road; permanent path
ọkpụ tòlụ ọkpū
for ever and ever
ọkpụ 2.
n.
used in:
284
ụmù ọkpū
married daughters
òkpụ
n.
(-kpụ 3. shave) used in:
òkpụ īsi
barber; shaver
òkpụ īsi elī ngo
ringworm
òkpù
n.
A. piles (on human anus); callosity (on buttocks of baboons,
etc.)
òkpù n’ekwè, òkpù
back of head; occiput (cf. akpù)
n’okwò
B. fault; blemish; goal or point scored against one in game
òkpùkpò
n.
bed of raised earth (= ìkpò)
ọkpụkpụ
n.
bone; ivory wristlet
ọkpụkpụ āzụ
backbone
ọkpụkpụ nkịtā
tree species (Cnestis ferruginea DC)
-gbà ọkpụkpụ
A. become stronger (of growing young person) (lit. toughen
bones)
B. (fig.) be special, important, pressing:
Bikō gwà nnā ānyị ya bikō bìa màkà nà nnukwu okwū `dì,
okwu afù gbàlù ọkpụkpụ Please tell father he should please
come because there is a serious discussion about something;
the discussion is very important
-fọ sò ọkpụkpụ
be very emaciated:
Àdâ tàsìàlù fọ sò ọkpụkpụ Ada is very emaciated, or Ada is
nothing but skin and bones. (Lit. Ada has become emaciated;
what remains of her is only bones)
ùmì ọkpụkpụ
marrow (of bone)
òkpụkpụ
n.
round-shaped mass (of mud); cassava balls (from -kpụ 2.
mould)
ọkpùlùkpù
n.
piece; lump (e.g. of meat)
ọkpùlùkpù anū
piece of meat
ọkpùlùkpù okwū
very important discussion
ọkwa 1.
n.
wooden bowl, tray; wooden platter for cutting up meat
ọkwa 2.
n.
state; condition; post; position
akàlà ọkwā
insignia of office
-nò n’ọkwa
be in a post, position:
Ifem nò na nnukwu ọkwā n’ụnò ọlū fa Ifem is in a high
position in their office
-zọ ọkwa
contest for a post
ọkwà
n.
announcement; notice; advance information
-ma ọkwà
announce (e.g. in the church):
Amā m ọkwà I announce (phrase used in calling banns)
òkwà +
n.
(-kwà 4. blow (pipe), sing)
òkwa àbù
soloist
òkwa òjà
whistle-player
285
òkwà
n.
francolin; bushfowl
òkwè
see òkwè
òkwù
n.
friend (good or bad sense)
ọkwụ(chi)
see okwu(chi)
òkwụkwa
n.
funeral (from -kwa 2. B. keep funeral)
ọkwùlù
n.
okra; okro (Abelmoschus esculentus Linn.)
ọkwùlù ezì
pawpaw; papaya
ọkwùlù oyìbo
pawpaw; papaya
ọlà
n.
staleness, as of food left overnight
-bà ọlà
be stale (of pounded food)
nni ọlà
remains of yesterday's food
okwu ọlà
(fig.) stale, old quarrel:
Rapùzia okwu afù nà ọ bàgo ọlà Drop the quarrel (issue),
for it is now stale
òla, ùla
n.
slap on the face
-ma òla
slap on the face:
Màa yā òla Slap him
òlaka
n.
used in:
òlaka mmanya
drunkard
òla ǹjùnà
n.
herb, Aspilia africana (Pers. C.D. Adams), used to treat slight
bruises or injuries
òlịlịī, òlịlī
n.
stroll
-pùkwu òlịlī
go out for a stroll in direction of friend(s); go out and visit;
call upon
-pù òlịlī
go out for a stroll; go out to another house to stay and play
with friends there (usu. of children)
ọlọgbà
n.
used in:
ụkwụ ọlọgbà
crooked, knock-kneed legs; "K-legs"
ọlụ 1.
n.
A. work; task; something difficult, tiring, tiresome (from -lụ
1. work):
Gịnî bù ọlụ gī? What is your work?:
Bìa kà ànyị je ọlū Come and let us go to work
Ịnyà ụgbọ dì ọlụ Driving is difficult
Ọlụ Oyìbo Civil Service:
Ụmù m ìbùa nò Ọlụ Oyìbo Two of my children are in the
Civil Service
akwụkwọ ọlū
letter of appointment
dàalụ ọlū
well done! salutation to person or people at work
-fe ọlụ
superintend work
-gba aka ọlū
be unemployed
ife inē ọlụ
prize; reward
ife ọlū
tool; instrument
-lụ ajō ọlụ
do work badly
286
-lụ ọlụ
work
-ne ọlụ
reward; pay (wages)
ǹga ọlụ ikē
imprisonment with hard labour
nwa ọlū
apprentice
-repù n’ọlụ
leave, abandon work stealthily or unnoticed, unannounced
ụgwọ ọlū
wages; salary; payment for work done
ụnò ọlū
office; department; workshop
ọlụ 2.
n.
fault; weakness (of behaviour in human beings) (from -lụ 2.
defile):
Egbè m nwèlù ntịntị ọlū My gun has a slight fault:
Ibè gbàlù ọlụ nwaàyì Ibe has the weakness of excessive love
for women
ọlụ 3.
n.
limb of humans or leg of animals, including hip:
Ọ bụlụ nà ụnù abòsịa atụlū afù, wètalụnù m òfu ọlū ya
Bring me one of the hindquarters after cutting up that sheep
ọlụ anū
leg (of meat)
òlùkpù
n.
blackened teeth
òlùkpùlù
n.
septic mouth (common in neglected children); cancrum oris
ọlụsị
n.
deformity; crippled or maimed state:
Àdâ nwèlù ọlụsị Ada is deformed
ọm!
int.
salutation of respect to an old man (especially a pagan)
ọma
n.
good; fine; pleasing; nice; beautiful
abù ọma
psalm
afọ ọma
kindness
ife ọma
A. nice, good thing
B. female name:
Onye ōbụnā chōlụ ife ọma gà-àgba mbò na-àlụsi ọlū ike
na-èmeazị ezi òmùme Anybody who wants good things
(prospects) must strive to be hard-working and righteous
ijè ọma
farewell!
iru ọma
favour; goodness; good omen
isi ọma
good luck
-nwe afọ ọma
be generous, kind, benevolent
Ozi Ọma the Gospel; good news, message
ọmalịcha
beautiful; fine; admirable; pleasing; nice:
Nnā āyī zùtààlù m òfu ọmalịcha àkpà n’Ònìchà Our father
bought for me a beautiful bag from Onitsha
ọnòdù ọma
good condition
ụkwụ ọma
arriving and meeting with luck; encountering luck at arrival
(e.g. meeting a friend at table on arrival at his house)
ùtụtù ọma
fine morning
ọmà 1.
n.
embrace
ọmà afīa
centre of market
287
-bì ọmà
greet (by embracing)
-dà ọmà
embrace:
Ànyị nà-èje izùtè nwunyì m sī òbòdò oyìbo nāta. Ife mbụ
m gà-ème ọgè m fùlù yâ bù ịdà yà ọmà We are going to
meet my wife just back from the United Kingdom. What I
shall do first when I see her is to embrace her
ọmà 2.
n.
deity worshipped by all members of a community together
òmà
n.
tree used to make drums (Cordia millenii Bak.)
òme
see òme
òmị
see ùmị
ọmìikō, òmịkō
n.
lowliness; sweetness; mercy; pity; compassion:
Nnā ānyî nwèlù ọmìikō Father is merciful:
Bikō mèelụ m ọmìikō Please have compassion on me
òmòdì
n.
title; respectful form of address to men in general
ọmụ
n.
used in:
ọmụ ànì
bottom
ọmū
n.
cave in rock
òmụ 1.
n.
young palm-fronds; central spike of young raphia or oil palm
(See Anyanwu, C.N. 'The uses of the ọmụ in Igbo culture'.
Odenigbo 2.42-6, 1977)
-gba òmụ
tie young palm-fronds round an object, e.g. tree (for taboo
purposes)
Òmụ 2.
p.n.
title for chief woman of a place
òmụ 3.
n.
gunflint
òmù, òmùmù
n.
current (of a river)
-chị òmù
have a strong current (of river)
òmụgwò
n.
birth feast; period immediately after a woman’s safe delivery
till about three months, during which she is confined at home
and does not go to market. The traditional period ends with
the mother's ceremonially attending the market on a set day at
the end of the òmụgwò period. The period of the observation
of òmụgwò and the òmụgwò observation is called ǹgwò
òmùlùnwa
n.
interest:
Jèe kwùa òmùlùnwa n’isi egō Go and pay the interest on the
principal
òmùmù 1.
n.
fruitfulness (in bearing children) (? - 2. bear; cf. ụmù):
Chukwu nyèlù yà òmùmù God gave her the gift of
childbearing
ùme òmùmù
frequent loss of new-born children
òmùmù 2.
see òmù
ọnà
n.
brass; copper; any bright metal
ọnā èdò
gold
ọnà ọcha
silver
ọnà ọcha nà ọnā
A. silver and gold
288
èdò
B. (fig.) beautiful luxuries
ọnà ọkū
brass
ònà
n.
yam with large trifoliate leaves (Dioscorea dumetorum
(Kunth) Pax. = Yoruba èsịrị)
ònà mmēe
yellow variety
ònà ọcha
white variety
Ònìchà
n.
Onitsha
ànị Ònìchà
secret place worshipped by Ọnịcha people
otu Ònìchà
Onitsha town
ọnòdù
n.
seat; sitting; condition; state
ọnòdù ọjọō
bad condition, position, state
ọnòdù ọma
good condition
ajō ònòdù, ajọ
A. position of danger or inconvenience to a person or thing
ònòdù
occupied by another. The person occupying the position is
himself not necessarily in danger but his being so close to the
other is a threat to security or convenience of the aggrived
person he is so close to:
Ị nò m ajō ònòdù Your staying so close to me inconveniences
me, or is a threat to my security
B. careless, indecent, or immodest way of sitting (usu. of
women):
Ụmū Mbà nwaànyì àna-anòka ajọ ọnòdù n’ikpo mmadù
Mba's daughters are very fond of sitting carelessly,
immodestly, in the midst of people
C. bad conditions, state (poverty, etc.), of person who has not
been in that position before:
A nò m n’ajō ònòdù I am in a precarious position
n’ọnòdù
instead of; in place of; in the position of
-zọ ọnòdù
contest for a seat, position, post
ònòkò
n.
torch; firebrand; ember; half-burnt piece of wood
ònòkò nkū
half-burnt piece of wood
ònòkò ọkū
half-burnt piece of wood
ọnọnọ
n.
fish (Gymnarchus niloticus) (= asa)
ọnònọō
n.
tree with edible brown fruits, used to sweeten wine
ọnū 1.
n.
A. mouth
ọnụ mīli
spittle; saliva (cf. asọ)
ọnụ ǹ
A. having a sweet tooth
B. (= idè ọnū) impossible request, sometimes used as a
pretext for breaking off a relationship:
Òkeēke anā-àchọrọ ọnụ ǹOkeeke doesn’t like people
trying something on
ọnụ ūtọ
having a sweet tooth
289
ọnụ ụzò
doorway; door; gate; gateway
ọnụ ụzō īlo
gate; gateway; main compound door
àfù ọnū, àfè ọnū
beard; moustache
-gba àfù ọnū
grow beard, moustache
-bu ọnū
fast
-bụ ọnụ mīli
spit
-bụsa ọnụ mīli
spit on:
Abūsana m ọnụ mīli Do not spit on me
-gbụcha ọnū
wash, rinse mouth
-gbụ ọnụ mīli
spit
idè ọnū
see ọnụ ǹ
-jụ ọnū
draw someone out to gain information
-jupùta n’ọnū
be full to the brim
-kpùchi ọnū
hush; shut one's mouth
-kpù n’ọnū
carry in the mouth
-mechi ọnū
hush; shut up
-mì ọnū
draw in the mouth; pout; be envious
ǹju ọnū
mouthful
ogbènyè ọnụ ntū
very poor, destitute, person
-susù ọnū
kiss
-yàtọ ọnū
open mouth forcibly
myàtọ ọnū
opening of mouth forcibly, esp. of another person or animal;
(fig.) abusing someone by saying he is talking nonsense
B. hole; opening; cave; den:
Òkê nò n’ime ọnū The rat is in the hole, or There is a rat in
the hole
ọnụ egbè
opening of gun-barrel
ọnụ ìlòlò
gutter; drain
-kwuchi ọnū
cover, plug hole, opening
-tù ọnū
burrow
-wo ọnū
dig hole (already existing, e.g. rat-hole); excavate
C. speech (including special kinds, such as asking price or
counting)
ọnụ afīa
(also shortened to ọnū) price; market price; cost:
Nnā ānyî zùtààlù m ife dī ọke ọnụ afīa n’Ònìchà Father
bought for me something costly from Onitsha
Kèdu ọnū ya? What is its price?:
Achòlù m ịmā ọnū ya I want to know its price
ọnụ ànì
low price; cheapness:
Àfè afù dì ọnụ ànì That gown is cheap
ọnụ ikē
expensive
(ọnū) -kpà
be speechless; be unable to speak much, or to speak at all (not
pathological, but psychological and/or emotional, disability);
290
be dumbfounded
ọnụ mmīli okwū
(fig.) word; sentence; very short speech:
Achòlù m itīnye sòọsò òfu ọnụ mmīli okwū I want to add
only a sentence, word, or I want to speak only very briefly
ọnụ nā-ekwulu
advocate; spokesman:
(òrà)
Ndù bù ọnụ nā-ekwulu ānyị Ndụ is our spokesman
ọnụ okwū
eloquent; eloquence:
Ilô nwèlù ọnụ okwū Ilo is eloquent
ọnụ ọgū
number; numeral; total; sum:
Achòlù m ịmā ọnụ ọgū ụkpā dī n’ime àkpà I want to know
the number of "walnuts" in the bag:
Anà m amùba ụmù akā ọnụ ọgū I am teaching the children
the numerals
ọnụ ōgụgụ
numbering; amount; total; the Book of Numbers in the Bible
ọnụ òkpùkpà
speechlessness; exhaustion; utter weariness
ọnụ ọma
politeness:
Ikê nwèlù ọnụ ọma Ike is polite
ajō ọnụ
rudeness
-bụ ọnū
curse
-debe ọnū duu
be silent
-gala ọnū
be dear
ǹgàla ōnụ
dearness
-gụ ọnū
count; reckon
-kọ ọnụ
quarrel; abuse; revile
-kpà ọnū
render speechless; leave one dumbfounded:
Òmùme ifelē Ilo nà-èmê kpàlù m ọnū ogē m jèlù ikènè nnà
ya Ilo's shameful behaviour when I went to greet his father
left me dumbfounded
-kpù okwu n’ọnū
be still speaking; be speaking (e.g. in contribution to debate or
speeches during meeting)
-kwe ọnū
offer price; bargain
-kwu ọnụ naàbò
speak deceitfully
onye ọnụ okwū
mouthpiece:
Ọō ya bū onye ọnụ okwū anyị He is our mouthpiece
-rù ọnū
price; name a price for
-sà n’ọnū
confess voluntarily to crime, abomination or other bad deeds
-tinyekọ ọnū n’òfu
speak the same thing; be unanimous
-tù ọnū
boast; bluff
-yatọ ọnụ
be vulgar in speech
D. sound
-ra ọnū
sound
-rụ ọnū
chatter with cold (of teeth)
291
ọnū 2.
n.
(cf. ọnụnụ) edge
ọnụ mmīli
edge of water
ọnụ mmà
edge of sword
ọnụ ụgbō
bows of a boat
-pelụ ọnū
be chipped, jagged
ọnū 3.
n.
togetherness
-bikọ ọnū
live together
-dàkọ ọnū
coincide; be in harmony
-kpokọbà ọnū
gather together; collect
-rà ọnū
be equal
-zù ọnū
be complete, enough, to go round
ònù
n.
African mahogany (Khaya grandifolia DC and/or K.
senegalensis A. Juss.?)
ọnụkū
n.
(extended) family, on both male and female side
ọnụma
n.
family
ònùmà
n.
severe displeasure; wrath; fury; stronger than iwe (cf. - 1.
fight)
-kò ònùmà
be angry; swell with anger
onye ònùmà
hot-tempered person
ọnụnụ
n.
(cf. ọnū 2.) tip; point; edge
ọnụnụ alā
nipple
ònùnù 1.
n.
gall; bile; bitterness (lit. and fig.): great anger
ònùnù 2.
n.
small bottle-shaped calabash used as powder flask
ọnwa
n.
moon; month
ọnwa āsatō, āsatọ
eighth month
ọnwa īsaà
seven months; seventh month
ọnwa ndozù
full month
kwà ọnwa
monthly
mmùmù ọnwa
A. star
B. firefly
òkàlà ọnwā
half-month
ụgwọ ọnwā
(monthly) salary
ọnwò, ọnwà
n.
A. some
ndị ọnwò
some people
-nye ọnwò
give some;
Nye m ọnwò Give me some
ọnwụ
n.
death (from -nwụ 1. die)
(ọnwụ) -gụ
want to die
ọnwụ ọjọō
bad death, i.e. a premature death by accident, suicide, certain
diseases or childbirth, which causes one to become ekwensu
-be ọnwụ ōnwụ
cry in death-agony
-kwò ọnwụ
be at point of death; struggle with death
-nwụ ọnwụ
die
292
-nwụ ọnwụ ikē
die tragic death, or in an accident
-si ọnwụ
persist; be obstinate in desperation or in last desperate effort
(by sufferer) before or to prevent death
ònwùnwà
n.
temptation; trial; proof (-nwà 1. tempt, try):
Èkê nò n’ime ònwùnwà Eke is in temptation
Edūbànà àyì n’ime ònwùnwà Lead us not into temptation
ọnya
n.
sore; ulcer
àpà ọnyā
scar; scar of sore
-ba ọnya
develop into sore or ulcer (of fresh wound)
-chagbu ọnya
heal a sore by washing
ọnyà
n.
spring trap; snare
ọnyà igwè
steel trap
(ọnyà) -ma
trap, catch (of trap):
Ọnyà m màlù ewī My trap caught a giant rat
ọnyà mkpàkànà
steel trap
ọnyā ūdudo
spider's web
-kwe ọnyà
set trap
-ma n’ọnyà
be entrapped:
Nkịtā m màlù n’ọnyà My dog was caught in a trap
(fig.) Òbi àmago n’ọnyà Obi has been entrapped. If a person
is under suspicion of indulging in a crime, e.g. bribery,
policemen in disguise are sometimes sent to the person with
marked currency notes and if the person receives the notes
and is arrested the above expression is used. Or if a person is
suspected of stealing, money can be deliberately left where he
can find it, and if he takes the money and is caught, the above
expression is used
-si ọnyà
set trap
ònyì
n.
dysentery (cf. òtòlò)
ọŋù
n.
exultation; joy; rejoicing over
-ŋù ọŋù
A. be glad; exult; rejoice; crow over
B. (fig.) cry as a spoilt child
òŋụŋụ
n.
A. drinking; drink
B. drinking party (from -ŋụ 1. drink)
ọò, ọō
short form of ọ bù, it is:
Ònye nà-àbịa? ọò (or ọō) Chiìmà Who is approaching? It is
Chiima.
òọ, òò?
short form of ò bù? is he? is it?:
Òọ ala? Is it madness? or, Are you going mad? (= ò bù ala?):
Òò gî kwèsìlì ịbīa? Is it you who is supposed to come? (= ò
bù gî ...)
òpàpa
n.
groundnut (cf. òkpà)
mmanụ òpàpa
groundnut oil
293
òpìà
n.
matchet; sword; large knife
òpịrìma
n.
plantain (cf. ojokō)
òpòtòpòtò
see pòtòpòtò
òra 1.
n.
physical health
òra 2.
n.
tree whose leaves are used for soup, sometimes sacred in
some places; one of the trees planted to represent one's Chi
òrà
n.
everybody; the public; force of public opinion
òra bīalụ ijè
the guests, visitors (who have travelled a long distance):
Òra bīalụ ijè, ǹnọò! Welcome, visitors (guests)!
òra mmādù
the populace, public
òra òkwùtè
secret inner council of the incarnate dead, of Igala origin
(Henderson 1972:88)
àda òrà
A. daughter of all
B. female name
afọ òrà
sacrifice before cultivation
-jụ òrà
ask after welfare
n’iru òrà
in public; publicly
onye òrà
stranger; guest; visitor (= onye ọbìà)
òrachi
n.
sasswood tree (very poisonous) (Erythrophleum guineense G.
Don)
òròwù
n.
fish (Labeo coubie and Barbus occidentalis)
ọrụ
n.
vulva; vagina (cf. ọtù); may sometimes loosely include the
anus, when it may be called ọrụ nsị, but strictly the former
ọrụ ànì
dregs (of wine)
òsa
n.
small squirrel (Yoruba òkèrè); cf. uzè
òsèkè
see òsèkè
òsè kpaàkpaà
see òsè kpaàkpaà
ọsìsì
n.
long, elaborately carved rod used by chiefs in title-taking
ọsọ
n.
running; race; haste; speed:
Mèe ife ōbụna ị nà-ème ọsō Do whatever you are doing
quickly
-chụ ọsọ
drive; pursue
-gba ọsọ
run:
Ànyị gà-àgba ọsō We are going to run
-gbalụ ọsọ
dodge; avoid
-jì ọsọ
rush
-kpo ọsọ
rush; run quickly (lit. collect running)
-kpolụ ọsọ
run quickly; rush
ọsọōsọ, ọsịīsọ
quickly:
Achòlù m kà ị lụa ọlụ afù ọsọōsọ I want you to do that work
quickly
-tipù ọsọ
take to one's heels; rush away, off:
Wèlụ ọsō bìa fū m anya Come and see me very quickly. (Lit.
294
come and see me with running)
-wèlụ ọsō
hurry; hasten; run
wèlụ ọsō wèlụ ijè
come very quickly; come in extreme hurry; come in response
to SOS call; come with great speed; speedily (lit. take
running, take walking):
Gwa yā nya wèlụ ọsō wèlụ ijè bìa fū m anya nà mmilī
àmaa nwokè Tell him to come and see me very quickly
because I'm really in a tight spot
-wù ọsọ
race
ọsò 1.
n.
"hiss"; sound (of contempt) made by sucking teeth
-ma ọsò
make a "hiss":
Ònye nà-àma ọsò? Who is "hissing"?
-ma ọsò
suck the teeth (in contempt, etc.)
ọsò 2.
n.
kind of children’s sickness causing distension of abdomen
òsọ
n.
runaway; wanderer; fugitive
òsọōkwuùkwuù
n.
awkwardness; uncounthness (as result of shyness or
inexperience) (-sọ kwuùkwuù behave stupidly):
Ọsọōkwuùkwuù jì ya ogè ọ bàtàlù n’ebe nà-àgba egwū
Awkwardness seized him when he entered the dancing floor
òsụkwū
n.
variety of oilpalm which yields oil well
òsụsọō
n.
sweat; perspiration
(òsụsọō) -su
perspire; sweat:
Òsụsọō nà-èsu m I am perspiring, sweating
ọta
n.
shield:
Kraìst bù Ọta m Christ is my shield
òtà
n.
kind of native cloth
ọtakwụ
n.
deserted house
òtanjele, tanjele
n.
galena; bright blue glittering imported hard stone, stocked by
merchants originally but retailed by petty women traders or
men retailers in small bits, size depending on the worth, used
as cosmetic. The chip is crushed on a clean hard surface,
usually a stone kept specially for it, and ground to fine
powder, and kept in special small containers with a narrow
neck, with a stick left inside the container allowing the tip to
show over the brim of the container. The woman shakes the
container to have the stick properly stained by the powder,
then applies a narrow strip of the dark green powder to each
of the lower eyelids (< Hausa)
mkpò tanjele
special container for òtanjele
òtanke
n.
spy; scout; private detective (from -ta nke eavesdrop)
òtị
n.
fat white caterpiller, grub
ọtọ
n.
uprightness; straightness; right; verticality
-bìni ọtọ
stand up; rise up
-kwụ ọtọ
stand up:
295
Mmadù niīne kwụlụ ọtō Would everybody stand up
òtọ
n.
A. nakedness; nudity; bareness
-gbaba ọtọ
make naked; strip:
Òbî gbàbàlù Ọjì òtọ Obi stripped Ọjị naked
-gba òtọ
be naked:
Òbî gbà òtọ Obi is naked
mgbalụ òtọ
state of nakedness, nudity:
Òbî nò nà mgbalụ ōtọ Obi is nude
òtò
n.
trodden mud for building
ọtōsị
n.
bamboo (cf. àchàlà)
ọtù
n.
vulva; vagina (cf. ọrụ)
òtụkpà
n.
grass ridging on a house
ọtụlụ
n.
used in:
ọtụlụ òkàlà
paralysis of one half of the body; hemiplegia and paraplegia
òtùlùkpokpo
n.
woodpecker (- peck + kpokpo the characteristic sound)
òtụtụ
n.
many; various:
Òtụtụ ifē dì n’ime ūla Many things are in the bedroom:
Mmadù dì òtụtụ nà mbalā There are many people outside
ọwa, ọwala
n.
torch; tinder (often of palm-branch beaten to fibre)
ọkụ ọwā
torch
òwèlè
see òwèlè
òwì 1.
n.
friend (cf. enyì and òyì)
òwì 2., òwù
n.
field-mouse
òwòlì
n.
open space beside a stream or river
òwù
see òwì 2.
ọyà
n.
sickness; illness (from - 2. be sick)
ọyà azịza, ọyā
(lit. swelling disease) used to describe diseases which are
ōzịza
characterised by general swellings of parts of the body, like
that seen in congestive heart failure, nephritis, advanced
anaemia, etc.
ọyà isī
sickness characterized by constant severe headache; sufferer
often shaves his hair to apply medicine (= ọkìlị mgbawa īsi)
ọyà mkpụlụ akū
disease characterised by growth of kernel-like tumours visible
under the skin or really prominent and hard on any part of the
body, and diseases characterised by swelling and hardening of
the glands of the body, which become hard and prominent and
look like kernels (esp. the lymphoid glands); may be
malignant or non-malignant. This is another example of one
of the Igbo methods of disease diagnosis. The disease is
diagnosed by symptoms, so that numberless different diseases
which appear to show similar signs can be given one name;
thus three persons suffering from different diseases may be
diagnosed as suffering from the same disease by this
diagnostic method
296
ọyà ọcha
leprosy
ọyā òmìmì
rickets
ajō ọyà
malignant disease
-bute ọyà
catch (a disease)
-gwọ ọyà
cure disease
oke ọyà
great sickness; leprosy
ògwọ ǹnù ọyà
panacea; medicine capable of curing all diseases (lit. curer of
400 diseases)
-yà ọyà
suffer illness; be sick; suffer from disease
òyì
n.
friend; lover; mistress; adultery (more common than enyì and
òwì)
ndị òyì
friends
-yì òyì
A. be friends, lovers
B. commit adultery, fornication
òyò
n.
conoidal basket-rattles, usually played in pairs
òyòọ
n.
ivory bracelet worn by titled man
òzà 1.
n.
filter (of fibre-sponge, ògbo); tow-like filter (cf. ǹ, gauze
filter) (from - 2. filter)
òzà 2., òzò
n.
mane (of animal); chest-hair, fleece (of ram, etc.) (cf. ǹzàlì)
òzàlà 1.
n.
scorpion
odogwu òzàlà
scorpion
òzàlà 2.
n.
spear-grass sp.
isi òzàlà
edge of òzàlà
òze
see òze
òzịza, ǹzịza
n.
swelling; lump
ọzō
n.
title entitling holder to be called ǹ; title of high degree, and
much coveted, conferring on the owner privileges and honour
as a sacrosanct being
-chi ọzō
receive ọzō title
onye ọzō
holder of ọzō title
ọzò
n.
large ape, esp. chimpanzee, gorilla [N.B. neither of the great
apes has been recorded in Igbo territory in centuries, making
it difficult to know the referent of this word]
ọzò di mgba
ape, gorilla
297
òzọ
again; other; another:
Wètalụ m ji ōzọ màkà nà ǹke mbū adīrọ mmā Bring me
another yam, for this first one is not good:
Gùa egwu afù òzọ Sing that song again:
Bìa ogē ōzọ Come another time:
Bìa ōzọ Come again
arō ōzọ
next year
ife ōzọ
another thing
onye ōzọ
A. another person
B. person who is not a relative:
Agà m ejìsi ikē na-ènyelụ Ibè aka màkà nà ọ būrọ onye ōzọ
I shall endeavour to continue helping Ibe because he is a
relative (lit
because he is not another person)
-me òzọ
repeat; do again
ùwa ōzọ
in the world to come
òzò
see òzà
ọzùgwè
n.
snake, about 16" long, black and red, harmless but bad omen
P.
-pa
v.
carry; bear
-padò
lay down
-paga
carry to
-pana
take home
-panite
lift up; (fig.) stir up, begin
-pata
bring; carry towards the speaker:
Pàtalụ m ìtè afù Bring me that pot
-pà
v.
compress; squeeze out, express (e.g. juice from a fruit); press
together
òpùpà
compressing; pressing; pressure
-pàkọ
press together; compress
-pàsịsị
press something (liquid) from
-pàtò
press into a mess (e.g. ripe fruit)
àpàlàpà, àpìlàpì
fresh fufu
ụpà
A. clay soil
B. wet mud; wet mud for building
paì!
int.
exclamation - my word! dear me! goodness! (= kaì!)
-pà-ko
v.
be proud, arrogant, pompous, aloof, haughty
mpàko
haughtiness; pride; pomposity; aloofness
-me mpàko
be proud, pompous, arrogant, aloof
-pe 1.
v.
be small, little
-peka
be very, too, small:
298
Ife m kètàlù n’anụ afù èpeka My share of the meat was very
small
-pelụ ọnū
be chipped, jagged
-pe mpe
be small, little
-kụpe
break off part of:
Ị gà-àkụpe afele afù You will break that plate
-tipe
break off
penì
n.
penny (less common than kọpò; E.)
-pe-tụ
v.
reach; touch; concern:
Achòlù m kà ị kèe anū afù kà o petụ mmadù niīne I want
you to divide that meat so that it may reach everybody:
Okwu afù pètùlù m The matter concerns me
-petụgbàdo
reach, concern, all
-pio
v.
to force way through small doorway, small opening in wall,
thicket
-piobà(nye)
enter into by forcing way through very small doorway,
opening, or inlet:
Atụlū èpiobàgo ime ọbā The sheep has pushed its way into
the barn
-pioghalị
sneak about (as in thick forest):
Òfu onyē m fùlù na-epīoghalị n’ime ọfīa ǹnyàafù yìlì onye
orī a nà-àchọ A certain man I saw sneaking about in the
jungle yesterday resembled the thief who is being looked for
-pionye
squeeze self into (somewhere) through small opening or
doorway
-pionye isi
push in the head through small opening
-piopùta
force way out through very small outlet, opening or doorway
pìtìì
n.
describes something which is plentiful or falls plentifully:
Ogè m nà-agbà akwụkwọ ewēpùtàlù m òfu ụnō ūla màkà
idēbe ife ōlili. Ị bàta nà ya ogè afù ife ōlili àdị pìtìì When I
was getting married, I devoted one room to keeping foods. If
you entered it at that time, the food looked very plentiful:
Akwụ dī n’iru īlo etègo o jìlì cha, kịtāà mkpụlū ya nà-
adàsịsị pìtìì pìtìì The palm fruit in the front of the house has
been ripe a long time, now the nuts fall pìtìì pìtìì
-pị
v.
carve; shape wood with sharp instrument
òpịpị
carving
-pị alūsị
carve, shape image
-pịcha
shape; sharpen; peel; carve
-pị egbè
carve wooden part of gun
-pì
v.
squeeze; extract by pressure; press:
Anà m apì esuso sōlụ m n’isi kà abụ niīne dī n’imē ya wèe
pùtasịa I am squeezing the boil on my head in order to get rid
of all the pus in it:
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Ànyị nà-apì ụkwà We are pressing out the seeds from the
fruit of the African Breadfruit (Treculia africana)
òpìpì
wringing; pressing; squeezing
-pì amù
(cf. -gba amù) castrate:
Nnā ānyị nà-àkwadebe ịpì mkpi ọ zùtàlù n’afịa ǹnyàafù
amù Father is preparing to castrate the he-goat he bought
from the market yesterday
-pìcha
squeeze out
-pìgbu
kill by squeezing
-pìkọ
compress; press together
-pìnye
squeeze into:
Achòlù m ịpìnyè ọgwù n’anya nā-enye m nsògbu I want to
squeeze some medicine into my bad eyes
-pìsịsị
press, squeeze out
-pịa 1.
v.
A. flog; cane:
Ọ bụlụ nà ị bàta ime ụnò agà m àpịa gī If you enter the
house I shall thrash you
òpịpịa
flogging; caning
-pịa apịa
flog
-pịacha
flap (wing in water); shake off (dust, etc.)
-pịafùsị
flog and scatter
-pịa ife
whip; flog; punish generally; chastise
-pịa ìtàlì
flog with whip; whip; chastise:
Onye nkụzi nà-àpịa ụmù akwụkwọ ịtàlì The teacher is
caning the pupils
-pịasàsị
flog and scatter
B. smash; be smashed, flattened:
Ènyò ọkū m àpịago The bulb of my lantern has smashed
òpịpịa
smashing
-pịa apịa
smash; be flattened:
Òjà m chōlụ kà ị zụtalụ m n’Ònìchà ị nà-èjê bụ ǹke pīalụ
apịa n’ọdụ màkà nà ọ bù ùdị afù kà onye isi egwū kwulu
kà ànyị zụta The kind of flute that I want you to buy for me
from Onitsha - which you are travelling to - is the type that is
flat at the end because that is the type the leader of the
orchestra asked us to buy
-pịachi
fold
C. used as second verb, can be either -pịa or -pìà
-kụpịa, -kụpìà
smash into pieces
-kwọpìà, -kwọpịa
be smashed (by lorry)
-pịa + 2.
v.
gather; arrange; reckon; reckon up; make account
-pịakọ
gather, press together
-pịazi
settle; reckon up; make account
300
-pịa + 3.
v.:
-pịa ụgbà
take a somersault into water; dive (= -kpọ ụgbà)
ponì
n.
cask; puncheon (of palm oil) (? from English)
ponì mmānụ
cask, puncheon of palm oil
pòtòki
n.
Portuguese person (? from English)
pọm
n.
used in:
-tụ pọm
drip (= -tụ kpọm)
pòtòpọtọ,
n.
wet muddy soil (e.g. after rain or in water-logged place)
òpòtòpọtọ
-pu 1.
v.
grow; spring up; sprout
òpupu
growing; springing up; sprouting
-pu elō
A. grow fungus
B. (fig.) live for ever:
(fig.) Ọ chòlù ipū elō He wants to live for ever
-pu epu
spring up; sprout; grow
-pu n’ànì
be native or home-born, indigenous (lit. grow, sprout in the
soil)
-pu 2.
v.
leak; have holes; be perforated
òpupu
leaking
-pu epu
be perforated; leak; have hole(s)
puku
n.
eight thousand; thousands
puku ndi
millions; countless number
-pù 1.
v.
go out (of):
Pùa n’ebe à Get out of this place
òpùpù
going out (of)
ime òpùpù
miscarriage
-pù ala
be mad; become mad
-pù ala aghùghò
pretend to be mad (in order to cheat or trick)
-pù ama
go to toilet (lit. go out to the fore-compound, beyond the main
compound door)
-pùcha
go away
-pù ijè
go on tour; travel
-pù ìlo
go out; take stroll
-pùkwu òlịlī
go out for a stroll in direction of friend(s); go out and visit;
call upon
-pùni
rise up
-pù n’ìlo
go outside
-pù n’orù
gain freedom from slavery, servitude
-pù òlịlī
go out for a stroll; go out to another house to stay and play
with friends there (usually of children)
-pùta
come out
-pùta ìfè
come out into the open; appear; be evident, visible:
Ànyị achōrọ kà ife ànyị nà-ème pùta ìfè We don’t want
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what we are doing to come out into the open (but rather to
remain secret or confidential)
-pùta n’ụzò
move out of the way:
Pùta n’ụzò Get out of the way
B. (acting like suffix) completely
-tichapù
beat off entirely
-lipù
eat up
-pù 2.
v.
snatch; take by force
òpùpù
snatching; taking by force:
Ọ chòlù ịpù yà akwụkwọ yā He wants to take his book (from
his hands) by force
-pùlụ
snatch from; wrench from; take from by force
-pùmalụ
snatch, wrench from; take by force:
Ndị orī apùmalụgo Āda egō ya The thieves have snatched
Ada's money from her
-pùnalụ
snatch
mpùm
robbery with violence
ndị mpùm
highwaymen; robbers; bandits
-pù 3.
v.
be able, sufficient:
Apùlù m ijī igwè je ọgụ maìl ìsiì n’ụbòsìI can go 120 miles
on a bicycle in one day:
Jesù pùlù ịgbāpùtà ànyì n’orù Jesus can redeem us from
slavery
-pù imē
be able to do:
Apùlù m imē ya I am able to do it
-pù(lụ) òkò
be able
apù imē
inability to do; impossibility
R.
-ra 1. (also -ralụ)
v.
A. choose; prefer
B. pick or take a few things randomly from collection of many
by dipping the hand into the container (like dipping the hand
into a basketful of kernels and taking some kernels):
Achòlù m ịrālụ ọnwà n’ime àchìcha dī n’ime afele I want to
take some from among the biscuits on the plate
-ra anwū
A. take honey from the comb (after driving away the bees)
B. (fig.) cause great trouble or hardship
-ranye
take, with hands, a few from among many (e.g. grains in a
basket) and give
-ranye ijè
pick one's way; move on slowly; step; toddle (as child)
-ra + 2.
v.
comb
302
òrịra
combing
-ra isi
comb (hair of head)
-ra ǹra
comb with comb
ǹra
comb
-ra + 3.
v.
knead
-ra nni
knead pounded food in plate or mortar, etc.
-ra + 4.
v.
make; produce (rain)
-ra mmilī
make, produce rain
òra mmili
rain-maker:
Ndi ilō ānyî chòlù ịrā mmilī taà ijī wèe mebì egwu ānyị nà-
àchọ ibū pùtà taàtà Our enemies want to make it rain today
in order to spoil the dance we are launching today
-ra + 5.
v.
consider; discuss
-ra alò
consider; take counsel, consult together; advise
-ralụ alò
consider; take counsel; counsel; consult together; advise
-ranye alò
advise; give advice:
Achòlù m onye gā-aranye m alò bànyelụ ịfe m gà-ème onye
nā ada àbịa ebe à kwà anyàsì inyē nnwa m nsògbu I want
someone to advise me on what to do with the person who
comes here every night to trouble my child
-ra 6.
v.
sound
òrịra
sounding
-ra ara
sound; make a stir, be a success:
Nkupùte nnwā Òfuèpeka ràlù àra ri nnē The naming
ceremony of Ofuepeka's child was a big occasion
-ra ọnū
sound:
Ìgba ǹke à nà-àra
This drum sounds great
ọnū ri nnē
-ra + 7.
v.
send
-ra ìfulū
blossom; flower
-ra ozi
send on errand
-ra ụkò
send representative, ambassador, special messenger,
middleman
-ra + 8.
v.
-ra nrā
pay levy, fine
-rà 1.
v.
be equal, on an equality; be so
-rà ịrà
be equal
-ra kà
amount to; be equal to; be as big or small as:
Ọ rà kà ìze It is very large
-rà ǹràmanya,
be equal, level, square:
ǹràanya
Fa ìbùô rà ǹràmanya The two are equal:
Ife o nyēlụ gî rà kà ǹkè o nyēlụ m What he gave you is equal
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to what he game me
-rà ọnū
be equal
-rà 2.
v.
leave; abandon; give up; release grip on; release; leave alone;
allow; permit:
Ndị àfè ojiī aràgo Āda The police have released Ada:
Ràa yā aka! Leave him alone!
-ràdà
pull down; let down from a height; lower
-ràfù
abandon; neglect; let go astray; allow too much liberty to (e.g.
a child, which leads it to be a trifle spoilt or wild)
-ràlụsị(lị)
leave altogether (to)
-rànye
A. lower into
B. leave; give up; hand over
-ràpù (= -rà, -ràlụ)
A. leave; abandon; give up; release grip on; release; leave
alone; allow; permit; omit; spare:
Bikō rapū m aka Please let me go, or, Please leave me alone:
Èjìòfọ sọò! sọò! Rapū m aka! Èjìòfọ sọò! sọò! Leave me
alone!:
Nwụnyì m ārapùgo m gbanaba My wife has left me and run
away:
Ebe à bù ebe ndị orī rāpùlù ife fa zùtèlù This is where the
thieves abandoned their loot
Rapù ife gālụ aga kà fa ga Let bygones be bygones
nrapù
abandonment
B. euphemism for 'die' (cf. -nwụ 1.); pass away:
Nwatā nō n’àkwà ọyà èri ụkā gālụ aga ārapùgo The child
who has been sick since last week has passed away
-rapù ọkwa
abdicate
-rà + 3.
v.
bore (esp. with red-hot instrument)
-rà àrà
bore
-ràpu
bore hole (with red-hot instrument):
Anà m àchọ ịràpù akpàtì m I am preparing to bore a hole
through my box
-ràpusị
bore many holes through:
Anà m àkwadebe ịràpùsì ọkwa à nụū dī n’ime ụnò I am
preparing to bore many holes through that wooden bowl in the
house
-ràa
ext. suff. 3
only; simple; just:
Ọ bù sòọsò i nyēràa yā ife ọ chòlù kà okwu gà-èji bè It is
only if you give her what she wants that the quarrel will end:
I nyeràa m ife m chò òkwu ebèe If you just give me what I
want the quarrel will end
-ràba
ext. suff.
for long; after a long time (denoting a great degree either of
smallness or bigness)
304
-beràba
cry for a long time:
Nnē jù nà ya amā enye Āda nnī; Àda beràba akwā nnē
aŋārọ ya ntì Mother refused to give Ada some food; though
Ada cried for a long time, mother did not answer her
ò bụràba
even if:
Bikō nye m egō ò bụràba kọpò Please give me some money,
even a kobo
-re
v.
pick up (of cloth, mats and other objects which are broad,
flexible and capable of being rolled up. Such an object is
assumed to be in its spread-out form; -re then implies rolling
and taking up, though the object can be picked up by one side
in its spread-out form without first rolling it. But the most
important point is that it must be spread out, otherwise -re
will not be used)
-rekọba
wrap; roll up
-rekọbà
roll up into
-relu
pick up (mat, cloth, etc.) and take
-reni
pick up (mat, etc.)
-rè
v.
walk stealthily; move, walk, very slowly or lazily:
Ogè Èke nà òyì ya nwokē nà-àgba ìzù n’ime ụnò Àda rèlụ
rèlụ jee kwachanye n’àzụ ajā kà o wèe nụ ife fa nà-èkwu
When Eke and his friend were discussing things in the room,
Ada went stealthily and leaned against the back wall so that
she might hear what they were discussing
-rebìga
glide over
-règhalị
walk about stealthily; prowl; loiter; dodge work; malinger:
Ò gịnî kpàtàlù ibè gị jì àlụ ọlū ì bàta n’ụnò na-erèghalị?
Why are you hanging around the house while your colleagues
are busy working?
-rèpù
walk, creep out stealthily
-rèpù n’ọlụ
leave, abandon work stealthily, unnoticed or unannounced
-ri 1.
v.
leak; be leaking:
Ìtè m nà-èri ēri My pot is leaking
-ri mmilī
leak; be leaking
-ri- 2.
v.
clean, wipe off
-richa
wipe, clean off (e.g. dusty table with damp duster)
-richapù
cleanse; purify
-ripù
push back (gradually pushing object, e.g. on a table, till it falls
off it); wipe off
-ri + 3.
v.
-rika
be much; be too much; be excessive
-ri nne, -ri nnē
be many, much, numerous, plentiful, abundant
èri ogè afù
it is a long time since:
Èri ogè afù ànyị afụnùrò We haven’t seen each other for a
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very long time
-rị 1.
v.
walk (of insects)
-rị àrị
walk (of insects)
-rị āzụ
move back; flinch; be reluctant; hold back; fall back
-rịchìgha
move backwards (of insects); flow back, down (of water)
-rịrụka
move aside; push aside
-rị 2.
v.
fill up (of healing sore, or receptacle being gradually filled
with water)
-rịchi
swell and fill (a receptacle); heal up (of wound)
-rịlị
A. swell; rise; puff out; increase in bulk (as dough)
B. heal; granulate (of wound)
-rị, -ri, -rụ, -ru
ext. suff. 1.
intensity, completeness of action (cf. -lụ 5.?)
-churu
fade; tarnish (stronger than -chu)
-feniri
fly up (with the idea of abruptness or suddenness):
Egbe m jèkò ịgbā egbè èfenirigo The hawk I was going to
shoot has flown away
-fùru
be lost:
Àda efùrugo Ada is lost
-mìri
dive deep
-nwụrụ
be dead:
Nkịtā m ànwụrụgo My dog is dead
-nyiri
stand up and go
-rì + 1.
v.
A. mark; mark distinctively; put mark on in order to be able to
recognise the object marked in future
-rì amā
mark
-rìba amā
mark something; put a mark on
nrìba amā
mark; distinguishing mark
ife nrìba amā
a mark (placed on something in order to distinguish it from
the others or in order to be able to recognize it in future):
Achòlù m kà ànyị begbàdo ewu ānyị niīne ntì aka nnī kà ọ
bụlụ ife nrìba amā ijī wèe malụ ewu ānyị ebe ànyị àfùnà
ya I suggest that we cut off the right ear of each one of our
goats as a mark to enable us to recognize our goat wherever
we find it
B. remark; notice
-rì + 2.
v.
cry out (and sob, hard); exclaim in astonishment
-rì akwa
cry out
-rì mkpu
cry out with exclamations of horror (e.g. as when a man
wakes one day and finds that burglars have removed almost
all his belongings during the night. He cries out to attract
attention)
-rì òkù
shout for
-rì- 3.
v.
compress hard (e.g. the throat); choke; press firmly against
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-rìdo
choke; throttle
-rìlị
go aground
-rìnye
give up; hand over
-rì 4.
v.
hurt internally, like pain from septic sore or rheumatic joint
-rìnyị
hurt
-rì 5.
v.
heal; granulate (of wound)
-rì + 6.
v.:
-rì àrì
ferment (e.g. beans for making àkàlà)
-ro
v.
root; uproot
-rogha
move; transplant
-roni
move; root up
-ro obì
migrate; go and live elsewhere
-ropù
move; root up; cast out; root out
-rò 1.
v.
tell (story, usu. featuring songs)
-rò irò
tell story; tell story in which song features; tell tale, fable
-rò 2.
v.
hang; be strangled
òrùrò
hanging; strangling
-rọ 1.
v.
lift down (e.g. pot from the cooking tripod, after the food has
been cooked)
-rọpù
lift down (e.g. pot from tripod):
Rọpū ìtè ọ bụlụ nà nni eghègo Lift down the pot if the food
is done
-rọpùta
lift down and out (e.g. pot from the cooking tripod)
-rọtù
lift down
-rọ 2.
v.
pinch (e.g. with nail, claw)
-rọ alụ
pain severely; throb
-rọ mbo
pinch, scratch with nails
-rọ 3.
infl. suff.
not (-rọò when in final position after non-low tone):
Ị bīarọziì You did not come at all/after all
Ọ bīanùrọ He has not yet come:
Ọ mārọò He doesn’t know
-rò 1.
v.
choose; pick
òrùrò
choosing; picking:
Ànyî chòlù ịrò ndị gāje ịnòchì anya ānyị na nzùkọ echī We
want to choose those who are going to represent us in
tomorrow's meeting
-rò òtù
discriminate; choose group, society, club
-ròpùta
choose, pick out; ordain:
Rọpùta ndi gā-eje ịgbā bọòlù Pick out those who are going
to play football:
Rọpùta mkpụlụ akwū a gà-èbu je afīa Pick out the palm
nuts that will be taken to the market
-ròta
choose; choose and take; succeed in choosing the right one;
307
make the right choice:
Aròtago m onye nwēlụ ike imē ife m chòlù I have got (after
going through a group) the person who is able to do my
bidding
-rò 2.
v.
bruise; squeeze; mash:
Àdâ chòlù ịrò ònugbù a gà-èji te ofē n’anyàsì Ada wants to
squeeze the bitter leaves with which to prepare a soup in the
evening
-rọ-go
v.
go up
-rọgo(lụ)
ascend; go up; climb:
Ogè Onye nwē anyị nà-àkwadebe ịrōgo n’enu igwē Ọ
kpōkòlù ụmū āzụ Ya ọnụ, nye fā nkasì obì When our Lord
was about to ascend into heaven He called His disciples
together and comforted them
-rọgota
climb up towards (the speaker):
Rògota n’ebe ànyị nò Come up where we are
-rọ-gò
v.
twist; twist and bend:
Achòlù m ịrōgò aŋa a gà-èji kpā ǹkàtà I want to bend the
cane with which to make a basket
-rọgòba
coil
-ru 1.
v.
pour; cast metal
òruru
pouring
-ru ajā
pour away sand
-rubà
pour in
-ruchanye
pour into (the object is assumed small and all is intended to be
poured into it at once)
-rufèga
pour over
-rufù
pour away, spill (of water):
Mmanya dī n’ime īko èrufùgo The wine in the cup has spilt
-rukpọ
gouge out (eye)
-rukwàsị
pour upon
-ru mmilī
pour out water
-ru nwamīli
urinate:
Anà m èje irū nwamīli I am going to urinate
-runye
pour into
-rupù
pour out; flow or flow out
-ru 2.
v.
A. bend down; turn; change (for worse); stoop; influence;
respect; venerate
-ru alūsị
venerate divinities
-rube
bow; submit
-rube isi
incline the head; obey; submit, be loyal to; give respect to:
Afùlù m Ọjì n’anya màkà nà ọ nà-èrubelụ m isi I like Ọjị
because he obeys me:
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Ọ nà-èrubelu ezè isi He is loyal to the king:
Nwokē afù anārọ èrubelu ndi ọchịchị isi The man gives no
respect to people in authority
-rudo
persuade; urge; compel
-rugò
bend; stoop
-rughalị
turn, bend round; change
-rukpùdo
turn upside down:
Bikō rukpùdo ọbà afù n’ànì, nà amārọ m ife nā-esì n’imē
ya Please turn that calabash upside down, for I don’t know
what is smelling in it
-rulu
stoop; remain stooped
-rulu ànì
stoop down
-ru m
lie in wait; set an ambush
-runata
stoop down a bit
-runata ànì
stoop down a bit
-rurùpù
draw away
B. be downcast; mourn
-ru ùru
mourn; be sorrowful, downcast; grieve
-ru ụjụ
mourn:
Ibè nà-èru ụjū Ibe is mourning
-ru 3.
v.
rub on
-ru ufie
rub camwood on body
-ru 4.
v.
grow (of tubers, e.g. yam):
Ji m kòlù n’ọnwa gālụ aga èbidogo irū The yam I planted
last month has started to grow a new tuber
-ru nne
grow (of tuber); grow to more than average size (of tuber)
-rù
v.
flow (like a river)
-rùbà
flow into:
Òsìmìrì Naịjà nà-èrubà n’ime mmili nnū a nà-àkpọ
Àtlantìk The Niger River flows into an ocean called the
Atlantic
-rùchibìdo
flood:
Mmilī erūchìbìdogo ogbē ūfọdụ Some districts are flooded
-rùdà
run down (of water); flow down
-rùfèga
flow over
-rùfù
flow, run away
-rùghalị
flow; float; drift to and fro:
Mmilī nà-erùghalị n’ebe niīne na Mbà Mmīli Water flows
everywhere in the Rivers
-rùnye
flow into
-ru-be
ext. suff. 1.
around:
A chò m kà ụnù garube m òkìlìkili I want you (pl.) to form a
circle round me. (In imperative can sometimes be used
309
without -be:
Tùru yā òkìlìkili Plant (things) around it)
-rù-be
ext. suff. 1.
(move about) thoroughly; vigorously
-kwerùbe
shake thoroughly
-marùbe
shake thoroughly
-ru-ka
see -rụ-ka
-rụ
v.
roast
-rụdà
burn up (through roasting):
Gịnī kà ị nà-àrụ? Anà m àrụ jī What are you roasting? I am
roasting a yam
-rụ ọkụ
broil; roast; scald; burn (of live things)
-rù 1.
v.
"price"; bargain:
Achòlù m ịrù akwā à ọnū I want to price this cloth
-rùdà
lower the price; price down
-rù ọnū
price; name a price for
-rù ụmā
charge, price more than right price
-rù 2.
v.
shake; shiver
-rù agbọō
retch; make feel nausea; cause nausea:
Ọnya dī n’isi Āda nà-arū m agbọō The sore on Ada's head is
causing me nausea
-rù àrù
shake; shiver; shiver with cold
-rù lìlì, -rù lìlìlì
shiver; quiver:
Nwatā wūlụ mmili oyī nà-arū lìlìlì The child who washed
with cold water is shivering
-rùpù
untie; shake off; shake oneself free of
-rùrube
rumble (of thunder)
-rùrùpù
shake out, off
-rù ọnū
chatter with cold (of teeth)
-rù 3.
v.
shout seriously at in order to scare off or to warn
-rùni
scare off
-rùrùpù
shout and thereby stop someone from doing something:
Arụrùpùgo m egbe ibū ọkụkù I shouted at the hawk and
prevented it carrying off the chicken
-rù 4.
v.
blow (bellows)
-rù ekò
blow bellows
-rù 5.
v.
perform routine or occasional obligation to a divinity, by
offering certain sacrifices to it; usually done by the head priest
of a particular divinity (sometimes propitiation for
appeasement)
-rù alūsị
serve a deity
-rù ànì
sacrifice to ground, regarded as deity
-rù mọọ, mọō
look after deities
-rụ-ka, -ru-ka
ext. suff. 1.
aside
310
-buruka
move aside (something heavy)
-kpụrụka
drag, move to one side:
Kpùrụka ochē afù n’ụzò Drag that chair out of the way:
Gwa yā kà ọ kpụrụka m n’iru Tell him to get out of my
sight (lit. drag himself out of my sight)
-nòrụka
sit to one side:
Nòrụka n’ùsọ Sit to one side
S.
-sa 1.
v.
wash; scrub:
Anà m àsa afele I am washing plates
òsịsa
(act of) washing
afọ ōsịsa
dysentery
-sa ala
A. wash breasts, esp. of a newly-delivered mother, to induce
breast milk
B. artificially induce the breasts of a non-pregnant woman to
begin to produce milk by washing with a local medicine (see
ala 1.)
-sa àrụ
take a bath
-sacha
wash; scrub
-sachanye
wash and give:
Sàchanye m ofu afele Wash one plate and give it to me (i.e.
immediately)
-sachapù
wash; wash clean, off:
Jèe sachàpù inyi dī n’afele afù Go and wash the dirt off that
plate
-sachapùta
wash out; rinse out:
Sachàpùta īko à Rinse out this cup
-sachata
wash and bring
-sapù
wash out; (fig.) die out (of a family)
-sa- 2.
v.
lap water (as dog)
-sala mmīli
lap water (as dog)
-sa + 3.
v.:
-sa ùla
go and sleep with a friend or relative away from one's home
-sa + 4.
v.:
-sa mbalā
be wide
-sa obodobo
be flat
-sa 5.
ext. suff. 1.
upon; at; over
-fesa
sprinkle over
-gbawụsa
pour, splash on:
Gịnî mè i jì gbawụsa yā mmili? Why did you splash water
311
on her?
-sà 1.
v.
A. open (hand, book, cloth, but not door)
-sà aka
open the hand:
Sàa akā gị Open your hand(s)
-sà akwụkwọ
open leaves of a book (looking for a particular page or
chapter):
Ọ nà-asà akwụkwọ He is opening the pages of a book
-sàchi
shut, close (usu. book)
-sàchi akwụkwọ
shut, close book:
Sàchizịa akwụkwọ afù nọòfụ It is high time you closed that
book!
-sàgbàpù
open wide (usu. book, cloth, etc.)
-sàghe
open; open wide (e.g. hand, mouth, book, but not door)
-sàghepù
open wide
-sànye
open and show another something; reveal to; initiate
-sàta
open page of book:
Sàta Abù Ọma isi ǹke īsiì Open at the Book of Psalms,
chapter six
B. spread (as result of something being opened)
-gbasà
scatter; disperse:
Ụkà àgbasàgo The service has ended (and people have gone
home)
-kwusà
say about; spread the news
-zisà
disseminate:
Ànyị nà èje izīsà Ozi Ọma We are going to spread the
Gospel
-sà 2.
v.
answer; reply; excuse; retort; make one's defence
òsìsà
answering; replying; retorting; making one's defence
-sà ụsà
make excuse:
Gịnī bù ụsà ọ sàlù? What was his excuse? or, What excuse
did he give?
-sà +
3,
v,:
-sà ùsà
pinch (bits of food, meat, etc., usually by children)
-sà + 4.
v.
confess to crime, abomination, voluntarily, and sometimes
during delirium, semi-insanity, severe labour pains, etc.
-sà asìsà
confess evil while delirious or semi-insane (cf. -sà n’ọnū)
-sà ifì
This is a form of confession very similar to ịsà n’ọnū, but
restricted to women. This practice was known throughout
Igboland, but it was most common in the Òkịjà area. Some
people strictly forbid their wives' committing adultery with
other men. Women guilty of this offence usually confess to it,
mentioning the name(s) of the person(s) involved before they
can deliver a child safely. The practice is, however, very little
known in some parts of Igboland. (Among the Yoruba, it was
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most common among the Ìkalè-Òkìtìpupa, Ìlutuntun, Aye,
etc.)
-sà n’ọnū
confess voluntarily to crime, abomination, or other bad deeds.
This is common among habitual criminals and witches who
perpetrate their evil deeds in ways that make them difficult or
impossible of detection. Examples include those of witches
who suck people's blood till the victims are dead, or who fly
out at night in the form of spir spirits to visit and kill victims
and who sometimes claim to be responsible for grave disasters
like fatal accidents, deaths of great men, insanity of student
sons/daughters of rivals. Some criminals poison their rivals or
their children undetected or practise sorcery on them. These
criminal acts can go on till one day a perpetrator suddenly
runs amok or begins to behave in a not altogether normal way;
this is followed by his/her appeal to people in the
surroundings to gather and hear some revelations. This
disorderly "news conference" is usually attended by people of
all ages with keen interest. The venue is not specially
arranged, but the confessor usually sits in front of a house, in
a public place like a round-about, market place, or side of a
street. The confession usually goes thus: "Do you know why it
took the son of Mr. X twelve years to accomplish his
university course which should normally take only three
years? I am the one who kept sucking his brain and seeing to
it that he failed his examination each time. I was the one who
killed my first daughter last year when she died during labour.
I warned Mr. Z not to buy a new car but to try to make his
bicycle do. He ignored my warning and bought the car. He did
not know he was doomed by doing this. It was on the
occasion of the wedding of his sister he got into the car and
began to ride to the Church, but on the way I slapped him and
pushed his car to make it crash into that bridge near the
Church, tumbling into the river. He, his mother-in-law and the
new car met their end that fateful morning. My listeners, I
hope the event is still fresh in your memories". A confessor is
sometimes given a white fowl which she/he holds during the
confession. A confessor usually dies soon after the confession,
though some survive.
saà
int.
exclamation of displeasure; Shut up! Be quiet!
saì!
int.
exclamation to scare away dogs pilfering or disturbing one:
Nkịtāà nụ, saì! You dog, be off!
sam
n.
beauty; attractiveness; fitness; eligibility:
Àfè nwaànyì afù yì dì sam The woman looked fine in that
dress
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sambà
n.
frame-drum, flat square drum (cf. Yoruba)
sannò
num.
nine (arch., cf. ìtènaānị):
Madū nō n’ime ụnò akwụkwô dì sannò The people in the
school are nine
-se 1.
v.
float
-secha
skim (oil, etc.)
-se ese
float
-se n’enū
float:
A fùlù ozu nwokē a nà-àchọ èri ụkā gālụ aga kà o sè n’enu
mmīli n’ùtụtū à The corpse of the man who had been missing
since last week was seen floating on the river this morning
-sè 1.
v.
A. draw; pull; stretch
òsìsè
convulsions
-sèchìgha
draw back; withdraw
-sè èsè
pull; draw
-sègba
form a train; go on; go forward; push along; extend to:
Achòlù m kà i sègbaa ōwụwa ànì afù ị nà-àwa kà o rute
n’iru ụnō ānyị I want you to extend the trench you are
digging to reach the front of our house
-sèka
pull asunder; tear:
Ì nà-àchọ isèkà akwụkwọ m? Are you going to tear my
book?
-sèka akwụkwọ
dismiss a case (lit. tear papers)
-sèkọba
contract in size
-sèkọnata
pull together; pull together to the centre
-sèkpụ
carry in hand by handle (e.g. bag, bucket)
-sèkpụni
lift up; drag up:
Ọ chòlù isèkpùnì nwatā dālụ adà She wants to pull up the
child who has fallen down
-sèkpụnye
drag into; drag to:
Sèkpụnye m nwa m Give me my child (i.e. Pull my child by
the hand and hand her over to me)
-sèkpụpù
draw away forcibly; drag away:
Sekpùpù nwatà afū nà-atatò ọnū ilo Drag that jabbering boy
out
-sèli òkụkù
steal fowls (habitually, mainly for eating) (lit. draw and eat)
-sèlụ
pull, draw to oneself
-sènita
draw up, lift up
sè okwu
quarrel (lit. draw words):
Mụ nà Èjìòfọ nà-esè okwū Ejiọfọ and myself are quarrelling
èsèmokwu
quarrel; dispute
-sèpùta
draw out (as bucket from well):
Isēpùtà ìtè n’ime ūmị adịrō ọlụ To pull a pot out from the
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well is not difficult
-sèsà
draw apart; scatter; spread about; litter; tear by pulling:
Jèe sesàa ụmù akā nā-anū ògù Go and separate (or pull
apart) the children who are fighting
-sètị
stretch
-sètịpù
stretch out:
Setìpù akā gị Stretch out your hand
-sètịpù ijè
embark, continue, on a journey
-sètịwanye
widen by stretching; stretch further
-sètọ
tear by pulling:
Ọ nà-àchọ isètò elili e jìlì ke ngwùgwù afù He wants to
break (by pulling) the rope used in tying the parcel
-sètù
drag down; pull down:
Òfô jìlì iwe setù nwa nnē ya n’enu obē, nwa nnē ya dàa
tijie ōfu akā Ọfọ angrily pulled down his brother from the
ladder, his brother fell and fractured one arm
-sè ụtịlī
stretch oneself (as sometimes done when yawning or during
exhaustion or idleness)
-sèwa
tear; pull asunder; tear apart:
Sèwaa yā ìbụō Tear it into two
B. draw on (cigarette, etc.)
-sè anwụlù (ùtabà)
smoke tobacco
-sè òkù
smoke pipe
-sè sìga
smoke cigarette:
Èjìma adī esē sìga Ejima does not smoke
C. stir (e.g. with rod in thickening food)
-sè nni
stir food (like preparation of pap)
-sè ògbàdụ
prepare corn meal, i.e. pap, which begins as white watery
fluid, then thickens gradually as it becomes more heated,
becoming very thick towards the end of the cooking. The
cook keeps on stirring it throughout the cooking
-sè2.
v.
A. draw (e.g. diagram)
òsìsè
drawing (of diagram); photographing
-sè èsè
sketch
B. photograph; flash (of lightning); reflect flashing light (of
mirror)
-sè àmùmà
flash; lighten; show lightning
-sè èsè
photograph
-sèlụ (ife)
reflect, photograph (an object)
-se-kpù
v.
crouch; kneel down
-sekpùlu ànì
worship; bow, kneel down; give honour to
sepànịpà
n.
a weak person who struggles in vain to beat a stronger
opponent
315
-shọ +
v.
(dialectal form of -fịọ):
-shọ ùzù
quarrel noisily = -tụ ùzù
shọòshọò
see fịòfịò
-si 1.
v.
cook; boil:
Èjìma nà-èsi jī Ejima is cooking yam
-si ìtè
cook; boil
òsi ìtè
metal cooking tripod; cook
-siji
dye; dye black
-si 2.
v.
A. pass by way of; pass:
Àchọrō m kà i si ụzō à I don’t want you to pass this way:
Ǹkaà bù ụzò e sì èje Nneēwi This is the way leading to
Nneewi. (Lit
by which people go to Nneewi
-sifìè
pass the wrong way; miss road, way
-sifìè ụzò
miss road, way
B. come from:
Ji esīzi n’isi pu ò si n’ọdù pu If yam does not bring out a
shoot from the head, it brings it through the tail
-si bịa
come from; come by way of:
Èbeē kà onye dibìà gà-èsi bịa? Where is the doctor going to
come from?
Ǹkaà bù nwatà nwokē si ụnò bịa ọfụū This is the boy who
came from home recently, or who has just come from home
-si nà
A. go, come, from ( sometimes omitted):
Achòlù m isī Ìbàdàn naa ụnò I want to go home through
Ibadan ( omitted):
O sì n’ụla naa mmōọ He died in his sleep (lit. He went from
sleep to the ancestors)
B. (fig.) come as a result of:
Ògàniiru nà-èsi n’iru ọma Success depends on luck (lit.
Success comes from luck)
-site
take, come through, by:
Ụzō à kà m sìtèlù bịa This is the road I took to come
site nà
from; through:
Site n’okwu o kwulu kà m jìlì malụ nà egwù nà-àtụ yā
From what he said, I knew he was afraid
-si + 3.
v.:
-si ike
be strong, firm, difficult, hard
-sika ike
be very, too, strong, difficult:
Ọlụ afù èsika ikē The work is very difficult
-si òbò
be lazy, idle
-si ọnwụ
persist; be obstinate in desperation or in last desperate effort
(by sufferer) before or to prevent death
-jesi ijè ike
to go fast
316
-jìdesi ike
hold firmly:
Jìdesie yā ike Hold him firmly
-jìsi ike
A. put more effort; persevere; maintain effort; hold firmly:
Ọyà afù jìsìlì yà ike He is seriously ill (lit. He is firmly held
by that illness)
B. form of greeting to person travelling, working or going for
an examination, meaning farewell or struggle hard, etc.:
Jìsie ikē
struggle hard, or persevere (used as greeting to someone
working, travelling, etc.)
-lụsi ọlụ ike
work hard, energetically:
Lùsie ọlū gị ike Do your work energetically
-mesi ike
do energetically
Mèsie ife afù ị nà-ème ikē Do that thing you are doing
energetically
-tisi ike
beat hard:
Àchọrō m itīsi ya ike I don’t want to beat it hard
-si + 4.
v.
set (like trap)
-si ọnyà
set trap
-si + 5.
v.:
-sikwụ
compare; contrast; think about; consider; criticise:
Achòlù m ijī òkè m sikwụ ǹkè gị kà m wèe malụ ǹke kā ibè
ya I want to compare your share with mine to know which is
greater (placing them side by side)
-si ngọ
doubt; doubt obstinately
òsi ngọ
doubter
-si 6.
v.
hurt; pain; scorch; wither
-sinwụ
scorch; wither; have pins and needles; be numb; be half-dead:
Akwụkwọ nnī m gotalụ n’ùtụtù àsinwụgo The vegetables I
bought this morning have withered
-siwa
hurt severely
-siwasị
hurt severely:
Isi nà-èsiwasị m I have a severe headache
-sinwụba
look dejected; scowl:
Kèdụ ife mēlụ i jìlì sinwụba irū? Why are you looking
dejected?
-sì 1.
v.
smell; stink; give scent:
Ò gịnī nà-esì What is smelling?
-sì isì
smell; stink; give scent:
Ntì gị nà-esì isì Your ear is smelling
-sì 2.
v.
weigh
òsìsì
weighing
-sìne
compare; weigh a word
-sì ụkwụ
mark a footprint
317
-sì 3.
v.
be tough in constitution; hard
-sì anya
be bold, capable of withstanding hardship, courageous
-sì àrụ
be very tough (of person) (i.e. have very tough constitution or
body that withstands great hardship, sometimes naturally or
through repeated hard experience)
-fụsì anya
have hard experience:
Afūsìgo m anya! I have suffered a terrible experience or,
What a terrible experience I have suffered!
-gbasì
toughen
sisì
n.
five kobo; sixpence (E. six(pence))
-sị 1.
v.
say; tell:
Ọ sì nà ya amā abịa He said that she wouldn’t come
-sị àsị
lie; tell lies:
Ị na-àsị āsị You are lying
Ịsī asị nà-èbutù mmadù Lying degrades a person
-sị àsìlì
gossip
-sị òsiālị
bear witness
onye ōsiālị
the witness
àsìlì
gossip
onye àsìlì
gossip(er)
a sị nà
if; suppose; supposing that
asìsà
involuntary confession while delirious or with mind
wandering
-sị 2.
ext. suff. 1.
completely; totally
-bòkasị
divide into pieces
-gbasị
run out
-gwesị
pound all
-gwụsị, -gụsị
finish; complete:
Ọ gà-àgwụsị echī It will finish tomorrow
-kpàchasị
cut, shave, entirely
-mesị
finish
emesịa
afterwards:
Ọ gà-àdị mmā n’èmesịa It will be good at last, afterwards
o mesịa
afterwards:
O mèsìàlù bịa bē m She came to my house at last
o mesịzịa
afterwards; eventually
-nwosị
pluck off
-sị 3.
ext. suff. 1.
about (restricted to verbs ending in -sà 1. B.)
-bọsàsị
scatter about
-busàsị
scatter about in heaps
sìga
n.
cigarette (E.)
-sè sìga
smoke cigarette
sịò
int.
exclamation of anger, disgust:
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Sịò! Ifelē mèe gī Fie! Shame on you!
Sịò! Ọ sòlù oyī Ooh! It is ugly!
-sịsị
ext. suff. 1.
continually:
Mkpụlụ akwū nà-adàsịsị Palm nuts keep on falling:
Mmilī nà-àtụsịsị Water is dripping (continuously)
sịsò
see
-so 1.
v.
grow; be long, tall
-so esuso
form boil, abscess
-sonita
grow up
-so ogonogo
be tall, long:
Nnwoke afù èsoka ogonogo The man is very tall
-sopùta
grow up; be of age
-so ùso
grow; be long, tall (of living thing)
-sowanye
increase in length, height, growth, age (of growing thing or
youth)
-so 2.
v.
sharpen:
Ọ nà-èso mmà She is sharpening a knife
-so mmà
sharpen knife, matchet
-sò
v.
A. follow; accompany; go with:
Achòlù m isò gì na I want to go (home) with you
-sòchi n’àzụ
follow immediately after:
Sòchie m n’àzụ Follow immediately behind me
-sòchi ibè n’àzụ
A. walk in single file
B. follow immediately behind or after companions
-sògbu
trouble; vex; persecute
nsògbu
trouble; affliction; worry
-nye nsògbu
trouble; vex; persecute
onye nsògbu
persecutor; troubler; vexer
-sògwa
mix with (e.g. in a walk):
Atụlū adī esògwalụ efī Sheep never move about with cattle
-sò ǹdùmọọdụ
follow advice:
Bikō, sòlu ǹdùmọọdụ m Please, follow my advice
-sòni
following (e.g. day, etc.):
Àda gà-àbịa ụbòsì ụkà mà mụ nwà gà-àna ụbòsị nā-esòni
Ada will come on Sunday but I shall go the following day
-sò n’òfu
be of the same age
-sò n’ùsòlò
be in order, procession:
Achòlù m kà ụnū sòo n’ùsòlò I want you to form a
procession, or, get into single file
-sònye
join in (e.g. a stroll or walk)
-sònyelụ
accompany
-sò ụkpụlū
take after, resemble ancestor (in behaviour):
Ụmū Ìbè niīne nà-èzugbàdo orī, fa nà-esò ụkpụlū nnà nnà
319
fa All of Ibè's children are thieves, they take after their
grandfather
B. take part in; be a member of:
Enyì m sò na ndi isi ōde ākwụkwọ My friend is one of the
leading writers
C. with (acting like suffix)
-gwusò egwu
play with someone
-nụsò
war against
-sọ 1.
v.
be pleasant, sweet; please; like; appeal to:
Ife nwaàyì afù sòlù m The woman attracts me
-sọ amụ
make laugh; please; amuse; delight; be funny
-sọ ùsọ
be pleasant, sweet; please
-sọ 2.
v.
A. avoid (out of respect); honour; revere:
A sọọ ịpīa nwatà ìtàlì è mebìe yā Spare the rod and spoil the
child
-sọ anya
respect person, show favouritism; refrain from doing
something because of respect for someone present
-sọpù
honour (by standing aside)
-sọpùlụ
honour; revere; give way to; respect:
Ọ nà-àsọpùlụ m dị kà nnwa He behaves like a son to me
nsọpùlụ
respect; honour
-sọrụka
honour (by standing or bending aside)
asō anya
disregard for status or presence; impartiality; fairness in
judgement; disrespect
B. avoid (out of disgust); abhor; shun; be beware of
-sọ oyi, oyī
abhor; disgust; be ugly to; be ugly (e.g. faeces or ulcer):
Ọnya dī gị n’ụkwụ nà-àsọ m oyī The ulcer on your leg
disgusts me
C. forbid; be taboo:
Ndi Nneēwi nà-àsọ ewī nsọ The giant rat is taboo to the
people of Nneewi (lit. The people of Nneēwi forbid the giant
rat)
-sọ nsọ
separate; set apart; regard as taboo
ife nsō
forbidden thing
-sọ 3.
v.
precede; be next before; be older than:
Asòlù m Ònyeēnwe I am older than Onyeenwe
-sọ 4.
v.
push; poke
-sọ gànàgànà
stagger
-sọkwù
be foolish, awkward
nsọkwù
foolishness; awkwardness
-sọ ìsì
grope; walk as though blind
-sọ m
butt with the horns; compete:
Ànyî jèkò ịsō mpì na Ọka We are going to compete (for a
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competition) at Ọka
-sọ ǹǹ
stagger; stumble:
Ọ bụlụ nà òfu mkpịsị akā gị gà-àkpatalụ gī ịsō ǹǹ
bepū yā If one of your fingers causes you to stumble, cut it
off
-sọpị
be tapering
-sọtù
push down (e.g. with hoofs)
-sọ 5.
(òsụsọō)
see -su + 4.
sò, sòọsò, sịsò
only:
Ọ bù sò m^nò n’ebe à I am the only one here:
Kpòta sò ya Bring him alone:
Ọ bù sòọsò òfu ochē dị n’ebe a gà-anò me nzùkọ There is
only one chair in the place where the meeting is going to take
place:
Sòọsò Chinēkè Nnà pùlù ịzōpùtà ànyị n’aka ndi ilō Only
God the Father can save us from the hands of the enemy
sò òfu
only one; one only
sò òfu nje
only once
sò òfu ùgbòlò
only once
sòọsò ya
only him/her/it
-fọ sò ọkpụkpụ
be very emaciated
sọò!
int.
A. exclamation adding emphasis:
Dàalụ sọò Oh, thank you!:
Wèta yā n’-ebe à sọò Bring it here, please!:
Nòdụnụ ànì sọò Do sit down (addressing more than one
person):
Nòdụ ànì sọò Do sit down (to one person)
Ọ bù ezi okwū sọò It is true, really!
B. exclamation of anger, used when someone has been
worried by someone else to the point of exhaustion and now
asks to be left in peace
Rapū m sọò, jèbe sọò Please leave me alone, you are free to
go
sòọsò
see
-su 1.
v.
A. pound (dry object
-sucha
thresh (e.g. rice)
B. box, beat, strike, hit (hard)
-su ekwe
beat wooden drum
-su imi
wrinkle nose in direction of person in disdain or to show
snobbery (usually not allowing the victim to know, but
allowing others around to know):
Agà m àma onye ōbụnā gā-esu nwa nnē m imi ōla màkà nà
ọ mērọ alū I would slap anyone who wrinkled his nose at my
brother because he did not commit an abomination
321
-su òkpọ
box; strike with fist
C. touch lightly (e.g. with mouth, tip of tail, etc.)
-susù ọnū
kiss:
Ọjì nà-èsusù nwụnyè ya ọnū Ọjị is kissing his wife
-sutụ ọnū
touch slightly with mouth; kiss
-su + 2.
v.
burn; destroy by burning; set fire to
-sukpọ
burn up
-sule
burn
-su ọkụ
set on fire; burn; set alight:
Ì nà-àchọ isū ụnò ọkụ? Do you want to set the house on fire?
-su + 3.
v.
dip (e.g. morsel of food in soup, piece of yam in stew or oil)
-suli
dip food in soup or stew and eat
-sulu
take piece of yam, etc., from among many and eat; take stew
or soup with morsel or piece of food
nsulu
a sop; dipping into (soup, etc.)
-su, -sọ + 4.
v.:
-su òsụsọō
sweat; perspire; cause perspiration:
Àfe à m yì nà-èsu m òsụsọō This shirt I'm wearing is making
me sweat
susu, suso
see èsusu
-sụ 1.
v.
pound (soft objects, e.g. fufu, pounded yam; cf. -su 1.)
òsụsụ
pounding
-sụ ji
pound yam
-sụkpọ
destroy; beat to powder
-sụ + 2.
v.
-sụ asùsụ
speak language, tongue, dialect
-sụghalị asùsụ
interpret language (lit. change language)
-sụ Ìgbò
speak Igbo:
Abù m onye Ìgbò mà amārọ m àsụ Ìgbò I am an Igbo man
but I don’t know how to speak Igbo
-sụ ǹsụ
stammer; stutter:
Ọ nà-àsụ nsụ He stammers
-sụ 3.
v.
boil; begin to boil; sing (of kettle on cooker):
Ejì m aka nà nni afù gà-àsụ tupu elekele isiì I am sure the
food will boil before six o'clock
òsụsụ
boiling; fermentation
-sụ pùm
bubble (of boiling thick liquids like hot pap, thick soup, and
cornflour. The force of rising steam leaves holes which
quickly close up, making sounds mmm)
-sụ ùfụfù
froth; foam
-sụ 4.
v.
cut, clear (bush, forest); weed
òsụsụ
cutting; clearing (bush, forest); weeding
ọsụsụ ànì
cutting, clearing bush preparatory to farming
322
-sụcha
clear away weeds or bush; weed; deforest
-sụ ọfịa
cut bush
-sụ ugbō
weed farm
-sụ ụzò
cut road, path, way
-sụ + 5.
v.
-sụ akwà
wash clothes:
Anà m àsụ akwà
I am washing some clothes
-sụ 6.
(ǹgòngò)
see -sọ 4.
-sù 1.
v.
grunt; make sound like lorry, automobile or other powered
vehicle, machine, etc.
-sù àsù
make sound like vehicle or machine
-sù iwe
sulk
-sù mbimbi akwā
sob
-sù òsùsù
A. make grunts or sounds like lorry or powered machines,
automobiles
B. leave part of a conversation unspoken, hum and haw:
Adā m àchọ kà mụ nà onye nā-abụ ọ na-èkwu okwū ò na-
asù òsùsù kpaa nkàta màkà nà onye nā-abụ ọ na-èkwu
okwū ò na-asù bù onye aghùghò I never like to converse
with a person who is in the habit of humming and hawing
during a conversation because a person who hums and haws is
planning something bad
-sù udè
make low groan; grunt (e.g. as seriously ill person, animals)
-sù ùdù
beat ùdù pot (for music)
afọ òsùsù, afọ ōzịza
flatulence; distended stomach; rumbling stomach
-sù + 2.
v.
stab; pierce with the end or point of (e.g. rod, spear, spike,
etc.):
Ọ chòlù ịsù m mbàzù He wants to stab me with a digging-
stick
-sùgbu
stab to death
-sù isi n’ànì
fall headlong; throw oneself headlong:
Onye iwe nà-èwe sùa isī n’ànì kà a malụ nà iwe obì nà-èwe
Let whoever is annoyed (or angry) put his head on the
ground to prove that he is annoyed (lit
so that people may
know that anger is burning in his heart)
-sù mmà
stab
-sù n’ànì
thump on the ground; set down heavily
-sùnye
thrust into; plunge into
-sù òfọ
knock the stick representing the god of justice (òfọ) on the
ground
-sù ubè
thrust, stab with spear
-sù 3.
v.
compress; shorten; be short
òsùsù
compressing; reduction
-sù àkàkpò
be stunted in growth (= -dà àkàkpò)
323
-sù àsù
shrink back
-sù egbè
load gun:
Anà m asù egbè I am loading a gun
-sùpù
unload (a gun)
-sù 4.
v.
wear (clothes)
-sùlụ ìchàfò
put on head-tie
(ichàfù) n’isi
-sù + 5.
v.:
-sù afịa
flood the market (of excess commodity); (fig.) of a person, be
useless
-sù + 6.
v.:
-sù nsọ
lift a taboo
-sùpù
ostracize; excommunicate
nsụpù
ostracism; excommunication
T.
-ta 1.
v.
chew; bite; gnaw
òtịta
chewing; biting; gnawing
-ta afịfịa
eat grass (of cow)
-ta afụfụ
suffer:
Ị gà-àta afụfụ n’òdìniiru ọ bụlụ nà ị rāpùrò ajọ òmùme gī
You will suffer in future if you do not abandon your bad
behaviour
-ta akpụkpa
cause crawcraw
-ta alụ
bite:
Agà m àta gī alụ ọ bụlụ nà ị rāpùrò m I shall bite you if you
don’t leave me alone
-ta amōosu
be a witch; practise witchcraft (cf. -li amōosu and -ta mbili)
-ta àrụ
get thin; be emaciated:
Onwụūkâ tàlù àrụ Onwụụka is emaciated
-ta ata
A. chew; bite; munch; gnaw
B. lessen, dry up (of liquids, floods, etc.)
-tabè
bite off:
Nkịtā alā atabègo Ibè òfu mkpịsị akā A mad dog has bitten
off one of Ibe's fingers
-tabè anya
wink (lit. bite eye)
ntabè anyā
twinkling of an eye:
Mèe ife afù n’òfu ntabè anyā Do that thing in the twinkling
of an eye
-tabèlisị
devour
-tabèsị
bite off all
324
-tachapù ezē
grin
-tachapùta ezē
(colloq.) smile; laugh
-tachi
be firm, obstinate
-tachi obì
bear up; endure
ntachi obì
endurance
-tadide
stick; be firm
aka ntadide
stinginess
-tado
bite fast; fasten to; fasten together; make firm, tight
ntado
steadfastness; sticking very fast; biting and holding on to
-me ntado
be tight (e.g. of under-sized shirt, etc.):
Àfe à mèlù m ntado This shirt is too tight for me
-tagbàdo
chew, gnaw everything or the whole of the object (of ants,
rats, etc.)
-tagwò
break (breakable thing like fruits, nuts, biscuits, etc.) with
teeth:
Bikō tagwòolụ m ụkpā à Please break this "walnut" for me
with your teeth
-tagwu
eat away
-ta ìkekele ezē
grind teeth. This is habitual with some old men who at leisure
or while lonely grind their teeth - the molars producing a
characteristic sound:
Nnà m ochìè nà-àtaba ìkekele ezē My grandfather usually
grinds his teeth
-ta ịta
win stakes in a game
-takasị
gnaw, eat up (clothing, paper, etc., as of rats, ants, etc.):
Àkịkà àtakasịgo akwụkwọ m dēbelụ n’ime akpàti dī n’ime
ụnò Termites have eaten up the books I kept in the box in the
room
-takụ
stick to (of sticky substance)
-takwo
bite off prematurely eat or chew unripe fruit; bite off:
Agū nà-àtakwo mangō ācharō acha Agụ is eating unripe
mango
-takwosị
eat something unripe
-ta nni
graze (of animals)
-ta ọjị
eat kolanut:
Ǹkịtā adā àta ọjī Dogs never eat kolanuts
ndi ōta ōjị
nickname used by Igbo to describe Yoruba
-ta ụza
chew the cud
-akpụkpa (-ta)
have crawcraw
-ta 2.
v.
dry, dry up (of stream, etc.)
-ta akụ
be dried, without juice, non-succulent (of fruits or tubers)
-tachi
dry up (of water)
-tadà
subside (of flood, etc.)
325
-takọ(lụ)
dry up
-ta obì mmīli
be callous, wicked, determined
-ta + 3.
v.:
-ta ụta
blame:
A gà-àta gī ụta You will be blamed
-ta + 4.
v.:
-ta nchāla
be rusty:
Ǹgàjì ị rāpùlù n’ìlo ǹnyàafù ogè mmilī nà-ezò àtago nchāla
The spoon you left outside yesterday when it was raining has
become rusty
-ta + 5.
v.:
-tamù
mutter; murmur; grumble
-ta ụjalā
A. chirp; cry as a child; utter a peculiar call
B. make a loud outcry
-ta 5., -te
ext. suff. 1.
A. towards (very freely used with verbs of motion
-bàta
come in
-bịakète
come nearer:
Gwa yā kà ọ bịakète Tell him to come nearer
-mete
waken; rouse
-wèta
bring:
Wèta jī Bring yams
-zụpùta
train; see through:
A zūpùtago yā nà Yunivasitìì Someone has seen him
through the University
B. (fig.) to one's advantage
-fụchata
be inquisitive, nosy:
Achò m kà ị fụtalụ m nwaànyị dī mmā I want you to help
me find a good woman (i.e. with intention to follow up the
information gained)
-fụta
find
-kèta
get a share:
O kètàlụ òlòma ītọ He got three oranges (as his share)
C. to a fair extent; thoroughly; well
-kata
be stronger or increase in strength (e.g. of growing thing):
Ọ kātago ārụ He is now stronger
-kwute
speak well:
Ọ nà-èkwute okwū He is a good speaker
E. used in expression of form verb + -ta + noun + ọnū,
denoting great ability to, much, a high degree of:
Ọ nà-èkwute okwū ọnū ya She is an eloquent speaker:
Ọ màtà(lù) mmā ọnū ya She is extremely beautiful
1., ta
n.
(to)day. Basic tone appears to be low, being raised to high
before another low tone, so that *tà à becomes ta à. But it is
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high (a) after a low-tone verb form, (b) when said alone as
answer to a question:
Ọ gà-àbịa tà She will come today:
Amārọ m ife gā-eme n’ụbòchị tà I don’t know what will
happen this day (today:
Ọ nwùlù ta It died today
ta à bù àtọ
day before yesterday (lit. today is three):
Nwaàmàlùbịâ bìàlù ebe à ta à bù àtọ Nwaamalụbịa came
here the day before yesterday
ta à bù ànọ
A. three days ago (lit. today is four)
B. the fourth time
tà a dìnụ, tà a dìnị, ta à dìnwọò (arch.) today (lit. today it
is):
I gà-ètigbu m tà a dìnụ! You will beat me to death today!
ta à nị
today
ta à tà
(usually written taàtà) today:
Ọ gà-àbịa àbànì ìtọ taàtà (or ta à) She will come in three
days' time:
Afùlù m nyà taàtà I saw her today
-tà + 2.
v.
narrate; explain; report; interpret (e.g. a vision)
-tà ịtà
narrate a fable
taà!
int.
exclamation of anger; shut up!
taà(tà), ta à(tà)
see tà 1.
tanjele
see òtanjele
-te 1.
v.
rub; smear; paint; anoint; coat
òtite
rubbing; smearing; painting; anointing; coating
-te ajā
rub, smoothe wet wall; paint wall
-te imi
rub, coat, coat with mucus
-tekpù
paint over; distemper
-telà
level; rub flat, straight, smooth
ntelà
levelling
-telà ètelà
be level, flat, straight, smooth
-te mmanụ
anoint with oil; paint, coat, smear with oil
-tepù
complete or finish with the painting of
-te ùde
anoint; rub with oil, pomade, ointment
-te ùle
disgrace; put to shame; abase:
Àdâ yì nọō ọmalịcha akwā gālalụ ọnū kamà nà akpụkpọ
ụkwū o yì tèlù yà ùle Ada really wore a very smart,
expensive dress, but the shoes she had on were a disgrace to
her
-te ụnò
plaster a house; rub, smoothe, wet, walls of a mud house:
Òfọ nà-ète ụnò ya taàtà Ọfọ is plastering his house today
-te 2.
v.
tap (palms for wine)
327
-te nkwụ
tap palmtree for wine
-te 3.
v.
prepare (soup)
-teghalị ofe
stir soup
-te ofe
make soup, broth, stew, palmoil chop
-te + 4.
v.
be flexible; move in a flexible way
-te egwu
dance
-te ète
be flexible
-te ụkwụ
limp
-te + 5.:
-te imē
abort
-tè +
v.:
-tè aka
be distant, far, afar off; be long (in time), remote:
Isī Port Harcourt je Lagos tèlù nnukwu akā To travel from
Port Harcourt to Lagos is very far
n’òtè aka
afar off; at a distance; long ago
tebùlù
n.
table (E.)
teghete, ìteghete
num.
nine (cf. ìtènaānị)
-te-pù
v.
bulge, be distended (like the abdomen of a patient suffering
from ascites, an overfed child, or a pregnant woman)
-tepùbe
be distended, bulging
-tepùbe afọ
have a bulging, distended abdomen:
Nèe kà o sì tepùbe afō kà nwaànyị dī ime See how his
abdomen is distended like that of a pregnant woman
-tepùlu
be distended, bulging
-tepùlu afọ
have distended abdomen:
Ọjì lifèlù nni okè, tepùlu afō kà onye tōlụ afọ Ọjị was
overfed and had a distended abdomen
-te-ta
v.
wake up; awake
nteta
waking up
-teta n’ụla
wake from sleep:
Achòlù m itēta n’ụla n’ife dī kà elekele īsiì. Bikō kpòtee m
ogè afù ọ bụlụ nà m nòlìlì n’ụla I intend to wake from sleep
about 6 o'clock. Please wake me if I am still sleeping then
-ti 1.
v.
beat; hit; strike
òtiti
beating; hitting; striking
-ti aka
strike, beat, with hand
-tibo
break off with blow; remove part of with blow (walls, and
similar objects like ant-hill, mud pillar, mud seat, etc.)
-tibo ajā
remove part of wall with blow:
Akwụ e gbūlu n’àzụ ụnò n’ùtụtū à tìbòlù aja āzụ ụnò The
palm-fruit that was cut at the back of the house this morning
broke off part of the wall at the back of the compound
-ticha
A. shake off (e.g. dust or sand) by beating the surface with
328
palm of the hand
B. thresh
-tichapù
shake off, beat off, entirely (e.g. dust or sand with palm of the
hand):
Tichàpù aja dī n’enu oche nnī Brush off the sand which is
on the table
-tidà
knock down
-ti ekpè, egwè
make low mud wall, usually in the farm, to mark boundary
and/or check erosion
-tigbu
strike, beat, to death; smite down to death; beat excessively:
E tīgbugo nkịtā alā The mad dog has been beaten to death:
Nwannē m gà-ètigbu m taàtà My brother will beat me hard
today
-tigwalụ
strike in return:
Tìgwalụ yā Beat him back
-tigwò
break (e.g. plate)
ntigwò
breaking
-ti isi
butt, knock with head (like fighting ram)
-ti ìkpà
box, strike with fist
-tiji
break, snap, by falling (of long objects with some weight, e.g.
yam)
-tijisị
break, snap into several pieces by falling (of long objects with
some weight, e.g. yam, pole)
-tika
burst open, break (of durable material) by repeated knocking
against hard objects over a long time; become old by
knocking against hard objects:
Etīkasịgo m igwè m zùlù n’ọnwa gālụ aga I have broken to
pieces the bicycle I bought last month
-tikọ(lị)
hit, knock, together (of opposing forces)
-tikọlịta
collide:
Èbùnù ìbùọ nà-ètikọlịta isīTwo rams are butting their heads
together
-tikpọ, -tikpò
demolish; break up; break down
ntikpọ, ntikpò
demolition; destruction (est. of building)
-tikwopù
knock, beat out (teeth or anything so fixed):
Ị gà-ètikwòpụ m ezē You are going to knock out my teeth
-tilì
break into pieces
ntilì
breaking into pieces
-tilì àrụ
bruise:
Etìlì m àrụ I bruised myself
-tilò anya
subdue; beat very severely (lit. beat till the eyes become soft)
-tilù àrụ
bruise
-ti ǹ
flap wings:
329
Ọ bụlụ nà ị kpāchàpùrò anya ị gà-ètipīa ākwa dī n’ime
afeleIf you are not careful you will break the egg in the plate
-tinyụ
extinguish by beating:
Òkụkò èjigo ǹkù tinyụa ọkụ mpanaka dō n’enu ochē The
fowl has extinguished the lamp on the chair with the blows of
its wings
-ti obì
embrace (lit. knock chests) (cf. -bì, -dà ọmà):
Bikō tìe m obì Please embrace me
-ti òkpọ
box, strike with fist:
Tìe yā òkpọ Give him a blow with your fist
-tipìà
smash
-tipu
blow, beat open; beat out; tear a sack-like object by beating
(e.g. drum); burst; break through:
Ị gà-ètipụ ìgbà afù You are going to break that drum
ntipu
opening (e.g. in wall)
-tipu akwa
burst out crying
-tipù ọsọ
take to one's heels; rush away, off:
Ogè ndi orī nā-atọ jī n’ọbā fūlụ anyị fà tipù ọsō When the
thieves who were removing yams from the barn saw us, they
took to their heels
-tisà
beat out, forge (metal); splinter, scatter by beating or striking:
Ụzụ nà-ètisà igwè The blacksmith flattens the iron by
beating:
M gà-èji osisi tisà mkpụlụ akwū dī n’ime ǹkàtà I shall
scatter the palmnuts in the basket with a stick
-titù
strike, smite, beat, down:
Ànyị gà-ètitù onye orī àbìànà ebe à We shall beat down any
thief that ventures here
-ti ùbu
compete (lit. strike shoulders)
-ti ùfe
beat out metal thin
-tiwa
break, smash (like plate or pot)
ntiwa
smashing; breaking; division
-me ntiwa
be broken:
Afele ǹkaà mèlù ntiwa This plate is broken
-tiwa etiwa
be broken
(ìfè) -tiwa
(of civilization) be widespread
isi ōtiti
headache
òti īsi
headache:
Òti īsi nà-èti m I have a headache
-ti 2.
v.
A. shout; yell; utter cry; howl
-ticha
cry out; exclaim
-tikù
shout to; call upon (for help); cry to (cf. -kpọkù):
Ànyî jì aka nà Chinēkè gà-ànụ onu ānyị ogè ànyị tikùlù Ya
330
We are confident that God will hear us when we cry to Him
-ti mkpu
(cf. -kpọ mkpùkpò) shout; call; exclaim in wonder or alarm:
Ònye nà-èti mkpū? Who is shouting?
-ti mkpùkpò
cry out; shout; sound alarm (cf. -kpò mkpùkpò)
B. make, proclaim (law, decree)
-ti ìwu
make, proclaim law:
E tīgo iwu ònye apùtànà ìlo n’anyàsì A law has been passed
that no one should come out at nights
-ti 3.
v.
shine (of moon):
Ọnwa nà-èti n’anyàsị à The moon is shining this night
-ti- 4.
v.
put
-tigwa
mix; mix with:
Tìgwaa akpụ afù nwantịntị gàlị Add a little garri to that fufu
-tinye
put; put in; add
-tinye aka na nni
dine; have meal; dine with (used as an invitation to a friend
present during a meal):
Bikō tìnyelu ānyị aka na nni Please eat with us
-tinyecha
put in all
-tinyechi
put in place of
-tinyekọ ọnū n’òfu
speak the same thing; be unanimous
-tinyekwu
add; add (in addition, besides)
-tinye n’aka
entrust with:
O tìnyèlù ọlụ afù n’aka m He entrusted me with the work
-tinye nnu n’okwu
exaggerate (lit. put salt in a speech):
Etīnyerọ mụ nnu n’okwu à I'm not exaggerating
-tiwanye
put more; raise (wages, etc.)
-ti 5.
v.
build; establish
-ti akwalī
construct an akwalī to increase fruitfulness
-ti ụnò
build a (good) house
-ti + 6.
v.:
-ti mmanwụ
bring out spirits in the form of masquerades
-tì
v.
crack (nuts)
-tì akụ
crack kernel
tìtì
n.
state of being noised about:
Ùzù ya nà-àkpọ tìtì Its fame is being noised about
-tị
v.
stretch
òtịtị
stretching
-tị aka
stretch hands, fingers; crack the knuckles
-tị àtị
stretch
-tịpù
stretch out
-tì +
v.:
-tì àtì
be firm, strong, hard, tenacious
tịtaǹgwèlè
n.
pins-and-needles; cramp (= mkpà ǹsịkō, ụtanwaǹgwèlè):
331
Tịtaǹgwèlè nwùlù m I am feeling cramp/pins-and-needles
-to 1.
v.
grow; be long, tall
otuto
growing; being long; being tall
-to afọ
have great swollen belly; develop ascites:
Ọyā Ōfọ èsigo n’òzịza ghòlụ itō afọ Ọfọ's illness has passed
from general oedema into ascites
-to akpịlī
delight; appeal to; also specifically used to refer to practice by
some children who gaze steadily at person eating or holding
eatable which greatly appeals to them:
Èjìma āna ètoka ākpịlị Ejima is too fond of showing her
desire to eat what other people are holding or eating
-toghàlụ
outgrow
-tonite
grow up
-to ogonogo
be long, tall
-topù
be well-grown; have more than average height
-tosopù
protrude
-to 2.
v.
be worthy, fitting
-to eto
be worthy; be fitting:
O tòlù èto kà ànyị jee kènee Ọnwụūka nne yā nwùlù
ǹnyàafù We ought to go and console Ọnwụụka whose mother
died yesterday
-tosị
fit
-tò
v.
praise; hail; glorify:
Mmadù niīne nà-etò Ibè màkà ọlụ dikē ọ lùlù n’Ọka
Everybody is praising Ibe for his heroic work at Ọka:
Òrà gà-etò afā Jisòs All shall hail the name of Jesus:
Ndi Mọọ Ozī nà-adā n’ànì kwà ụbòsì na-etò afà Onye Kāsị
The Angels fall down every day glorifying the name of the
Almighty
òtùtò
praise; praising; hailing; glorifying
tòlotòlo
n.
turkey (H. tòlotòlo)
-tọ
v.
unwrap; denude; untie
-tọ akwà
strip body; make naked by stripping
-tọpù
release; untie; loose; absolve; release from bondage, fetters:
Jèe tọpù ewu e kēdolu n’ògbụ Go and untie the goat tied to
the ògbụ tree
-tọsị
untie
-tọsịsị
untie (many things tied together)
-tọsịsị ụnò
unroof house
-tò 1.
v.
lay; place
-tò anya n’ànì
be observant, watchful, careful; take notice of; watch (lit. lay
the eye on the ground)
-tọfù
lose; mislay
332
-tògbọ
put, lay, lie, drop down:
Tògbọ yā ebe afù Leave it there:
Tògbọ egbè gị n’ànì Lay down your gun
-tọgbò duu
lie still; lie down softly (cf. -gba duu, be silent, still):
Afùlù m nkịtā ị nà-àchọ kà ọ tògbò duu n’àzụ ụzò I saw the
dog you are searching for lying quietly behind the door
-tògbọlụ
lie abandoned:
Afùlù m egbè m kà ọ tògbòlù n’ètitì ugbō I saw my gun
lying abandoned in the middle of the farm
-tògbọ ǹkịtị
be empty, desolate, neglected:
Ugbō m dī n’ụzò Nnoòbì tògbò ǹkịtị, ènwerō m ego m jì
akō yā nni My farm on the Nnoobi road is empty; I have no
money to cultivate some crops on it
-tò ntì n’ànì
hearken; pay attention (lit. lay the ear on the ground):
Nnā ānyị nà-àchọ ikwū okwu, madù niīne tò ntì n’ànì
Father is going to speak, would you all be attentive
-tò ǹtọ ànì
lay foundation; start from the beginning
-tò ute
A. spread mat (meant to be slept on after spreading)
B. (fig.) be easy, easier, lighter
(ùwà) -tò ute
(fig.) have an easy life:
O nwērọ onye ùwà tòlù ute Nobody finds the world a bed of
roses
-tò ụkpụlū
set an example (to be followed by younger generations)
-tò 2.
v.
take by the throat; kidnap
-tòdo
seize by the throat; choke; throttle
-tògbu
strangle
-tò ǹ
kidnap
-tò + 3.
v.
last; remain; live long; continue
òtùtò
endurance; durability
-tò àtò
last; remain; live long; continue; be durable:
Akwà ị zūtalụ ọfụū màlù mmā mà ùdị yā adā atō àtò The
cloth you have just bought is beautiful, but that kind is never
durable
-tò òtùtò = -tò àtò:
Òkù a kpūlụ nà Ǹnoòbì nà-atò ezigbo òtùtò Clay plates
made in Nnoobi last a very long time
ǹtọ ànì
foundation; origin
-tò 4.
ext. suff. 1.
denoting crushing into mess, very soft state, mutilation:
Nnwa āzọtògo nsị yā The baby has stepped into his faeces:
Ọ nà-àpịtò unèlè ọcha He is pressing the banana into a mess
-tu + 1.
v.:
-tu afà
extol, salute by title: e.g. Ikè enyī Elephant's buttocks
-tu + 2.
v.:
333
-tu ǹtutu
search for; look for, follow after in direction of thing being
followed
-tu ụkpụlū
follow footprints, example
-tu 3.
v.
A. stick in; plant:
Ànyị nà-èje itū osisi n’okè ànyị nà ndi Ụmù Agū We are
going to stick sticks along the boundary between us and the
Ụmù Agū people
-tudo
stick (something)
-turu(be)
plant around
-tu ùgò
A. stick an eagle's feather in the hair
B. (fig.) be declared the champion, winner
B. strap on (sword, knife, etc.) (cf. - 1.):
Kèdu ǹkè ị tù mmà kà onye gāje ògù? Why are you
strapping on a sword like a person going to a fight?
-tu + 4.
v.:
-tu ùbu, ìbu
be stout
-tu ụkpò
blister
-tu + 5.
v.:
-tu ǹtutu
differentiate; make distinction
-tù 1.
v.
insert something into covering or mass (e.g. sword passed
through belt, feather in hat or hair)
-tù + 2.
v.:
-tù ọnū
boast; "bluff"
-tù 3.
ext. suff. 1.
down:
Enwè m ike ịgbātù enyi ọ bụlụ nà e nyē m egbè I can shoot
down an elephant if I am given a gun:
Ọ nà-àchọ inūtù ibu dō n’enu ochē He is going to push off
the load which is on the chair
-tu-fù
v.
throw away
-tufù uchè
despair
-tu-kwù
v.
squat
-tukwùlu
squat:
Anà m èje itūkwùlù n’ùsọ ọkū màkà nà oyī nà-àtụ m I am
going to squat near the fire because I am feeling cold
tupu, tutu
conj.
before (of time):
Agà m èmesịgo ife m nà-ème tupu Ndù àbịa I shall have
finished what I am doing before Ndụ comes
tutu
see tupu
-tụ 1.
v.
A. throw; cast; hurl; fling; throw upon
òtụtụ
throwing; casting; hurling; flinging
-tụ atụ
be bumpy, uneven (of road) (i.e. throwing one about); be
bounced about
-tụchanye
throw away utterly; lose everything:
334
Ibè nà-àkwadebe ịtūchanye ego niīne o dèbèlù n’ikpe ànì
Ibe is going to throw all his savings into a land case
-tụdà
tthrow:
Tụdàtalụ m bọòlù Throw down the ball to me
-tụdàta
throw down to
-tụ èbìlì
be agitated; swell (as river or sea in gale)
-tụfèga
throw across, beyond
-tụfèga ụkwụ
throw across feet, legs
-tụfì
be entangled; wind; curl; entangle (lit. throw and entangle)
-tụfìkọ
be entangled together; entangle
-tụfù
lose; throw away
Proverb Onye atūfùrò ò da ātụùta Anyone who does not
throw away never recovers (meant to encourage charity and
almsgiving); cf. Cast thy bread upon the waters, for after
many days thou shalt find it again
-tụgbà ụkwụ
cross the feet or legs; throw one leg across the other
-tụgbu
throw and kill; stone to death
-tụghalị
toss; turn; turn about:
Tùghalịa āzụ gị Turn your back
-tụghalị uchè
consider; reconsider; reflect; change mind:
Òfô kwènyèlù ǹnyàafù nà ya gà-esō ānyị je Ònìchà taàtà
mà kịtāà ọ tūghalịgo uchè ya Ọfọ agreed yesterday to
accompany us to Onitsha today but now he has changed his
mind
-tụ iche
throw missile (e.g. stone)
-tụkò
throw together
-tụkòba
throw together
-tụkpò aka
clasp
-tụkpò àsị
lie against:
Ọ nà-àtụkpo m àsị He is lying against me
-tụkpọ
break by throwing; throw and break, damage (e.g. egg, eyes)
-tụkpọ anya
damage eye by hitting it with a missile:
Onye nā-atụ ichē kpàchalụ anyā màkà ịtūkpọ m anya The
missile thrower should be careful not to damage my eyes!
-tụkwàsị
throw again
-tụlù
roll on ground (of animate creature (cf. -kpọlè)
-tụlùpù
fall down; roll down (like a baby); fall and mix:
Nwa a mūlụ ọfụū atụlùpùgo n’enu àkwà The new-born
baby has rolled off the bed
-tụne
examine; consider; compare; look into:
Anà m àtụne okwu o kwūlu I am considering what he said
-tụni
throw up; rock (e.g. baby)
-tụnìdo
entangle; be entangled
335
-tụ nnu
season with salt
-tụnù
be entangled
-tụnùdo
entangle; be entangled
-tụnye
A. throw in, into
B. make collection; put money or gifts in kind to common
purpose
-tụnye nnu
A. season with salt
B. (fig.) exaggerate; make more interesting (of story);
embellish
-tụ òmìmì
dive:
Àmarō m etu esì àtụ òmìmì I don’t know how to dive
-tụ òwu
spin; make thread:
Ị gà-ènyelụ m aka ịtū òwu taà You will help spin cotton
today
-tụpùta
A. throw out
B. rise to surface (as corpse in water):
Tụpùtalụ m bōòlù Throw out the ball for me
-tụrà
throw down, away:
Ndi orī atụràgo ego fa bù The thieves have dropped the
money they were carrying
-tụsì
be entangled
-tụ ubè
throw spear
-tụ ùkpolo
throw missile
-tụ ùdò
braid rope
-tụ ụtụ, ùtụ
pay tax, tribute, collection (much used for payment of church
levies)
-tụ ùzù
quarrel noisily; make noise (in quarrel (= -fịọ ùzù)
B. drop, place, upon
-tụ anya
expect:
Anà m àtụ anya ī I am expecting you:
Oke ịtū anya abàrò onye ēnwerō ego urù Great expectations
are not helpful to a poor person
-tụkwàsa
drop upon; place upon
-tụkwàsị obì
trust; count on; hope on:
Tụkwàsị Yā obì Trust in Him
ntụkwàsị obì
trust; hope:
Ntụkwàsị obī ānyī dì nà Chinēkè Our trust is in God
onye ntụkwàsị obì
person being trusted
-tụ uchè
be worried, anxious:
Atūnalụ m uchè
Do not worry about me
C. fall in drops; sprinkle
-tụ kpọm
A. strike hard surface
B. drip (= -tụ pọm)
336
-tụ nzū
sprinkle with chalk
-tụsà
splash; strew
-tụsị
drip; fall in drops:
Ò gịnī nà-àtụsị? What is dripping?
-tụsịsị
fall in drops; drip:
Mmilī nà-àtụsịsị Rain is dripping
D. throw together; heap up; fold together
-tụ akwà
roll, fold cloth
-tụchi
bolt
ife ntụchi
bolt
-tụkọ
throw, heap together
-tụkòba
heap together:
Tụkòba nkū n’ùsọ ajā Heap the firewood beside the wall
-tụkònata
throw, heap together in one place
-tụkònyesị
gather together and throw in
-tụ mkpūlu
make raised beds for planting
-tụni
build up (a causeway)
E. throw (oneself about); bounce; rebound
-tụlù
roll in; wallow (as pigs, etc.):
Nwa nkịtā nà-àtụlù n’uzuzù The puppy is rolling in the sand
-tụna enū
bounce; rebound
-tụ ǹǹ
(Nnoobi) rejoice (usu. of women who combine their rejoicing
with hopping)
-tụ 2.
v.
build
-tụ ajā
build up a wall (by throwing mud)
-tụ àkanya
build thatch roof; build thatch-roofed house
-tụ akịlịka
build a grass roof; build grass-roofed house
-tụkònata
build up
-tụ ụnò
build house:
Ife mbụ m gà-ème nà m si Òbòdò Oyìbo natâ bù ịtū òfu
ụnò enū The first thing I will do on my return from the
United Kingdom is to build a storey building
-tụ ụnō ākanya
build thatch-roofed house
-tụ ụnò akịlịka
build grass-roofed house
-tụ 3.
v.
order; indent for; request someone going to a market to help
buy something:
Ọ bụlụ nà Nwaàmàlùbịa ānatago nàtalụ m ya ife m tūlụ ya
If Nwaamalụbịa has returned, help me bring from her what I
requested her to buy for me
-tụ afịa
request someone going to a market to help buy something
-tụ atụ
order; indent for
-tụ mgbelē
trade; retail (cf. -gba mgbelē):
Òfọ nà-àtụ mgbele n’Àba Ọfọ is trading at Aba
337
àtụmafịa
commission to buy in the market; order
-tụ + 4.
v.
split, scrape out; (fig.) take out
-tụcha
A. scrape out canoe with ǹ
B. nurse, foster, bring up very sickly, weak, miserably
helpless child or animal ("take out disease, weakness"):
Ọ bù nnē nà-àtụcha nnwa Ìbè e sì Ugwu Awụsa kpọnata
ọgè nne yā nwūsịlị It is mother who is fostering the child of
Ibe who was brought down from Northern Nigeria after his
mother died
-tụ nkụ
split firewood
òka ǹtùgbu
jigger
-tụ 5.
v.
cause; get
-tụba imē
impregnate
-tụ egwù
fear; respect; be afraid of:
Anà m àtụ egwù ijē ugbō n’anyàsì I am afraid of going to
the farm at night:
Ebe a nà-enì ozū nà-àtụ egwù n’anyàsì The cemetery is
fearful at night:
Egwū mmadù adī àtụ m I am never afraid of people
-tụ imē
conceive; be pregnant:
Elòlù m nà nkịtā m gà-àtụ imē n’ọnwa ītọ na-abịa I think
my dog will become pregnant in three months to come
-tụ izè, ize
shudder; shrink from; abhor; make disgusted with,
apprehensive of:
Òmùme Ìbè tùlù m izè Ibe's behaviour disgusts me
-tụlụ ime
become pregnant; conceive; become pregnant illegitimately:
Nwunyē Ōfọ àtụlụgo imē Ọfọ's wife has become pregnant:
Àda m nō n’ụnò akwụkwọ àtụlụgo imē My eldest daughter
who is in school has become pregnant ("illegitimately"
understood)
-tụ oyī
cause cold, chill
ǹtùmoyi
cold; cold weather
(egwù) -tụ
be afraid:
Egwù nà-àtụ m ijē ugbō n’anyàsì I am afraid to go to the
farm at night
(mmanya) -tụ
be drunk:
Mmanya nà-àtụ Ōfọ, nèe kà o sì adàjọlị Ọfọ is drunk, see
how he staggers
(olù ụlā) -tụ
slumber; doze:
Olù ụlā àtụbago yā He has started to doze
-tụ 6.
v.
speak (in various specific ways)
-tụ àkpànì
be bellicose, pugnacious (in speech)
-tụ alò
deliberate; consider; counsel; suggest; advise
338
-tụ inu
speak proverb, parable:
Nnā ānyị nà-àbụ ọ ga-agwa ānyị okwu ogē ụfọdụ ọ tụalụ
ānyị inu mà ò bụrō ogè ǹcha kà ànyị nà-àghọta inu ọ nà-
àtụlụ ānyị Our father when he addresses us often uses
proverbs, but it is not always that we understand the proverbs
he uses for us
-tụlụ
(fig.) defraud:
Ndị wàyo tùlù yà egō ya The confidence tricksters defrauded
him of his money
ntụlụ
roguery; fraud
-tụ ǹtụ, ntụ
A. tell lies (in order to escape something) (cf. - 6.):
Ị nà-àtụ ntụ You are telling a lie
B. deceive; poke fun at; play joke upon
-tụnye alò, elò
advise; counsel; suggest; give opinion:
Anà m àchọ onye gā-atụnye m alò bànyelụ nwunyè m
mmadū kpòlù gbafèlụ ọsō I am looking for someone to
advise me on what to do concerning my wife whom
somebody has run away with:
Ànyị nà-àtụ alò etu ànyị gà-èsi sò ịfe ndapùta ā dāpùtàlù
n’ùtụtū à We are deliberating on how to tackle this
emergency that occurred this morning
-tụ ùlà
entice on false pretences; tease (cf. -là ùlà):
Bikō esòkwònà Ibè je afīa màkà nà ọ nà-àtụ gī ùlà. Ọ
chòlù ịkpō gị je be ndi orī Please do not accompany Ibe to
the market because he is only enticing you. He wants to take
you to the thieves' house
-tụ- 7.
v.
breathe
-tụbì
stop breathing (suddenly):
Nwatā dālụ enū n’ùtụtù àtụbìgo The child who fell from a
height has stopped breathing
-tụ kpọm
breathe one's last, faintly
-tụlụ ndù
revive; refresh
-tụ ndù
breathe slowly, faintly, with difficulty (as one dying)
-tụ n’ume
breathe shallowly or faintly (like patient nearing death or
person who is extremely exhausted from running); pant:
Elòlù m nà ezì ị gbālụ egbè gà-ànwụ ọsọ ōsọ màkà nà ọ dā
èmeghalịzị ārụ, ọ nà-àtụ sò n’ume I think that the pig you
shot will die quickly because it can no longer stir, it only
breathes very faintly
-tụnye ndù
refresh; revive
-tụte (ndù)
wake up; make alive; revive; refresh; resuscitate:
Anà m èje ịkpō onye dibìà kà ọ bịa tụtee nwa nnē m dālụ
enū I am going to call the doctor to come and revive my
brother who has fallen from a height
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-tụ ume
breathe faintly
-tụ 8.
v.
appear (of new moon):
Ọnwa ātụgo/ātụa/ātụọ The new moon has appeared (contrast
Ọnwa àpùtago The moon (not new) has appeared)
-tụ + 9.
v.:
-tụ n’anya
cause wonder; astonish; surprise; surpass:
Etu ndi orī sìlì bàta ụnō à n’anyàsì tùlù m n’anya How the
thieves entered this house last night surprises me
ife ịtū n’anya
surprising thing:
Etu ndi orī sìlì bàta ụnō à n’anyàsì bù ife ịtū n’anya How
the thieves entered this house last night is surprising
-tụ + 10.
v.:
-tụnye n’ụkwụ
be at hand, imminent; come unexpectedly:
"Chèghalịa nù n’ifì nà Ànì Ezè Enu igwē àtụnyego
n’ụkwụ" Repent ye, for the Kingdom of God is at hand"
-tụ + 11.
v.:
-tụ àsị
tell lies:
Ọ nà-àtụ āsị He is telling lies
-tụkpò àsị
tell a lie against
-tụ 12.
ext. suff. 1.
denoting contact
-metụ
touch
-sutụ ọnū
touch with mouth
-tù 1.
v.
break the surface of a hard object (e.g. break with tips of nails,
usually of both hands, small seeds like melon seeds to remove
the covering)
-tùbì
break (something tiny)
-tù mbọ
pinch with fingernails
-tù nkì
cut face or body mark; tattoo
-tù ọnū
burrow:
Òke nà-atù ọnū n’ànì ụnò A rat is burrowing in the floor of
the house
-tùpu
trickle out; perforate with nails:
Ọ tùpugo àkpà m He has pinched open my bag:
Ànyị nà-atū ēgusi We are breaking open melon seeds
-tù + 2.
v.
pick off (e.g. ants, fruits of certain grasses, or weeds with
sticky fruits, from cloth)
-tùcha
peel:
Ànyị nà-atùcha ōkụkò We are plucking the fowl:
Ànyị nà-atùcha arụrụ We are picking off the ants:
Àda nà-atùcha ntì ya Ada is picking her ear
-tùchanye
pick off and give; give very little, trifling part:
Ò bù nwantịntị àchìcha à kà ị gà-atùchanye m? Is it this
very little piece of bread that you would give me?
340
-tùchapù
pick out, off (things which stick, e.g. fleas on dog):
Bikō tụchàpụ m arụrụ tādolụ m n’àzụ Please pick off the
ant which is biting me on the back
-tùchapùta
pick off (and out)
-tùchasị
pick off (objects) sticking)
-tù ji
dig up yams for storing
-tùsịsị
pick off one by one:
Chèlụ kà m tùsịsịa gī arụrụ dī gị n’akwà Wait and let me
pick off the ants on your dress
-tù + 3.
v.
be variegated in colour, mottled, spotted
-tù àgwà
be variegated in colour, mottled, striped, spotted:
Nkịtā m^tùlù àgwà kà agū My dog is spotted like a leopard:
Èbùnu à tùlù àgwà òji nà òcha This ram is spotted black and
white
-tù àkịkà
cause (pattern on)
-tù atùtù
be spotted, piebald
-tùgwa
be striped, spotted, variegated
ntùgwa
A. variegation
B. mixture
-tùpọ
have spot, blemish
ntùpọ
spot; blemish
-tù 4.
v.
measure (length); point at
òtùtù
measurement (of length)
òtùtù akā
arm's length:
Ife ofu onyē kètàlù n’ànì e kèlù ǹnyàafù bù òfu òtùtù akā
What each person got out of the land which was shared
yesterday is one arm's length
-tùnye
compare; liken
-tù 5.
v.
spatter; drop; drip (of liquids); drizzle
òtùtù
dripping (of dew, rain, etc.)
-tù 6.
v.
cheat; defraud
-tùlụ
defraud:
Ndị wàyo tùlù yà egō ya The confidence tricksters defrauded
him of his money
-tù ùlà
tease; disappoint (after arousing expectation)
-tù + 7.
v.:
-tù ọnū
wish bad luck
tụmà
conj.
even if (= kamà):
Ànyị gà-èmeli, tụmà isi àgụ We will win, even if all perish
tùmàdì, tùmàdù
see ǹtùmàdì
-tù-tù
v.
pick up:
Adī m àtụtù ife ọbụnà n’ìlo ọ sọgọdu nya bùlụ ōfu àkpà
egō I never pick anything up on the road, even if it is a
341
hundred pounds
ntụtù
gathering; picking up; pilfering
-tụtù aka
pilfer:
Ọ nà-àtụtù akā He is a pilferer
-tụtù aka ntụtù
pilfer; pick and steal
-tùtùkọ
gather; pick together
-tùtùkọta
gather; pick together and bring:
Jèe tụtùkọta ego dāsịsịlị n’àkpà m ogè m nà-àgbabàta ụnò
Go and pick up the coins that fell from my pocket when I was
running in
-tùtùnye
pick up for; pick up and give:
Tụtùnye m ife dānarịlị m Pick up for me what has fallen
from me
-tụtù ọjì
pick iroko leaves (for feeding livestock)
-tụtùta
pick; pick up and bring:
Ọ bù mm tụtùtàlù ọtụ ụzò a nà-àchọ I am the one who
picked up the missing key
aka ntụtù
pilfering; having light fingers
-me aka ntụtù
be fond of pilfering, picking and stealing:
Mụ nà onye nā-eme aka ntụtù adī ayì I never walk in
company of a person who is fond of picking and stealing
U.
ùbà
n.
drum beaten for deities at second burial
ubè 1.
n.
A. spear, divided into
ubē ǹ
ceremonial spear for ọzō ceremonies (= alò), and fighting or
hunting spears, see asùduù and àgànà
-ma ubè
pierce with a spear
-sù ubè
thrust, stab with the spear:
Bikō asùkwònà m ubè Please do not stab me with the spear!
-tụ ubè
throw spear
B. short digging-stick (cf. mbàzù)
ubè 2.
n.
stroke (of cane):
Pìa yā ubè osisi naàbò Give him two strokes of the cane
ùbe 1.
n.
native pear; "pear" (Pachylobus edulis Don), baked in hot
ashes
ùbe ōkpoko
bush-candle tree (Canarium schweinfurthii Engl.). The fruits
are cooked by being put in hot water. See also ùbe òsà.
ùbe oyìbo
avocado pear (Persea gratissima)
ùbe òsà
Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. See also ùbe ōkpoko.
ùbe 2.
n.
end; limit
342
ubì
n.
farm
ùbi
n.
black cobra (Naja melanoleuca Hall.)
ubom
see ìbome
ubòm
n.
A. sandbank
aja ubòm
white sand from river, used in building
B. the old boundary market, held in the dry season on the
sandbar in the middle of the Niger opposite Onitsha
C. male name
ùbu 1.
n.
shoulder
-kpọ n’ùbu
shrug shoulders:
Àdâ kpòlù n’ùbu ogè m gwasịlị ya ife ị sī kà m gwa yā Ada
shrugged her shoulders after my delivering your message to
her
-ti ùbu
compete (lit. strike shoulders)
ùbu 2.
n.
small fishing net
ùbù
n.
staleness:
Azū à àdàgo ùbù This fish has gone stale
uchè
n.
A. mind; sense; thought; wisdom; intelligence:
Uchè m dì yà I am concentrating on it
ajō uchè
bad plan
àkọ nà uchè
intelligence; mind
àkpà uchè
mind; memory
-chè uchè
think; wonder; doubt; be perplexed
-chịghalị uchè
consider; ponder; meditate
-debe uchè
think; imagine
enwē uchè
lack of sense; foolishness
-nwe uchè
be wise, intelligent:
Roseline nwèlù uchè Roseline is very intelligent
-tụghalị uchè
consider; reconsider; reflect; change one's mind
-tụ uchè
be worried; anxious
-wepù uchè
cease to expect; give up hope (lit. remove mind)
B. male name (from -chè think)
ùchichì
n.
night:
Ùchichì adī mma ògwù Night is not good for fighting
ètitī ūchichì
midnight
kwà ùchichì
nightly
nnī ūchichì
supper
uchu
n.
industry; perseverance; diligence
-chu uchu
persevere; be industrious
-dị uchu
be industrious, diligent:
Àdâ dì uchu Ada is industrious
ude
see udè
udè, ude
n.
groan; groaning; grunt; grunting; hum; din; grunt used
343
rhythmically to keep time in singing:
Ndị egwū na-àgwụ; ndị udè àna-àsụ The soloists are
singing; the chorus are keeping time
-sù ude
groan; grunt; hum, etc.:
Onye àrụ nà-ànwụ nà-asù udè The patient is groaning
ùde 1.
n.
ointment; palm-kernel ointment (Yoruba àdin and òroro)
ùde akū
palm-kernel oil
ùde oyìbo
factory-prepared pomade
-kpa ude
rub in pomade, grease, ointment
ọgwū ū de
local medicine prepared and stored in a bottle with palm-
kernel oil, used for curing convulsions, poisoning
-te ùde
anoint; rub with oil, pomade, ointment:
Anà m àchọ itē ùde n’ụkwụ m kpōsịlị nkụ I am going to rub
some pomade on my dry legs:
Kèdụ ūdị ū de ị tèlù? What kind of pomade did you rub on?
ùde 2.
n.
fame; report; reputation; name
ùdè
n.
flood-plain; swampy farm land
ùdènè
n.
A. common or hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)
B. hopeless, useless person
Udō
n.
very powerful divinity (alūsị), whose worship is controlled by
the Ọbịọ clan and before whom a king-elect of Onitsha must
perform various rituals (Henderson 1972):
Proverb: Udō sì onye ya nà-àzọ jì akā ya zòọ ōnwe ya màkà
nà ya adā àzọ onye tōlụ afọ (lit. Udō requests that whoever
he is trying to save should try and help himself because he
never saves anybody with ascites)
ùdo
n.
peace; quietness; calmness
anya ūdo
self-control; temperance
-bi n’ùdo
self in peace, harmony
-chọ ùdo
look for peace:
Ànyî chòlù ùdo We want peace
ezi ūdo
perfect peace
ùdu
n.
used in:
ùdu mmīli
rainy season
ùdù
n.
earthenware pot used for storing water; musical pot playing
by slapping a hole in the side-wall with the flat of the hand
egwu ùdù
music in which ùdù features prominently
-sù ùdù
beat ùdù (for music)
ùdudō
n.
spider
ọnyā ūdudo
spider's web (lit. spider's trap)
ùfe
n.
flight (-fe 1. fly)
-fe ùfe
fly
-ti ùfe
beat metal out thin
344
ufèlè
n.
wind; breeze
oke ufèlè
great wind
ùfèsi, ùfèsị
n.
the other side; abroad; overseas
ùfèsi mmīli
across the stream, river, etc.; the other side of the river,
stream, etc.
n’ùfèsị
over; on the other side
n’ùfèsị mmīli
on the other side of the river
ufie
n.
A. camwood (dye-wood from the tree Baphia nitida Lodd. or
B. pubescens Hook.f.); red dye from it
-ru ufie
rub camwood on body
B. red; reddish
ùfìè 1.
n.
width; across; crosswise
anya ùfìè
squint; cross-eyes
-gbà ùfìè
lie across or crosswise
ùfìè 2., ùfìò
n.
royal drums; pair of very large cylindrical slit-gongs, held
only by kings, the beating of which arouses the king from
slumber and thus defines the beginning of a new day
ùfìè 3.
n.
used in:
ùfìè ji ọkū
sacrifice, feast before eating new yams
ufìlì, ufùlù
n.
mark; track; footprint; trail (e.g. of snake); sunbeam:
Ǹkaà bù ufìlì agwō, ò bụrō ufìlì igwè This is the trail of a
snake, not the track of a bicycle
ùfo
n.
used in:
ùfochī, ùfochì
dawn; dayspring; next day
ùfolō
n.
nothing; uselessness; vanity
ufù
n.
a faint
ùfù
n.
mongoose
ufulī
n.
used in:
ùtabà ufulī
dry raw tobacco leaves not yet chemically prepared
ufùlù 1.
n.
breath; air
ufùlù 2.
see ufìlì
ùgègbè
n.
mirror; glass
ùgègbè anyā
(eye) glasses
-gbà ùgègbè anyā
wear glasses:
Ikê gbà ùgègbè anyā Ike has glasses on
ugilī
n.
wild mango tree (Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex
O'Rorke) Baill.), and its fruit (cf. ògbònò) used for soup:
Ugilī teghete mbù egō abūrọ ulù Nine ugilī fruits for one
cowry is no gain (i.e. anything too cheap should be suspected
of inferiority)
ùgò
n.
"eagle", a bird valued for its rarity and beauty. Its white
feather is a symbol of prestige worn with the red cap of onye
ǹzè. (Palmnut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis, and/or West
345
African River Eagle, Haliaetus vocifer.)
Ùgòchukwu
male name (lit. Eagle of God)
ùgò mmā
beautiful girl
Ùgònàchọmmā
name of a masquerade
Ùgònnē
male name (lit. Mother's Eagle)
Ùgònnwā
female name (lit. (Eagle child))
ọjị ùgò
A. yellow kola, valued above the common brownish type
B. beautiful fair-skinned girl (Proverb)
Egbe bèlụ ùgò bèlụ ǹke sịlị ibè ya ebènà ǹkù kwaa yā If the
kite perches and the eagle perches, whoever says to the other
that it should not perch, may it break its wing. (cf. live and let
live) (short form) Egbe bèlụ ùgò bèlụ
ùgògbè
n.
mirror (= ènyò, ènyìnyò)
ùgòdì
n.
lock; key
-gbachi ùgòdì
turn the key
ùgòfù
n.
steam
ùgolì
n.
hooting sound made by young men when dancing
ugòlo
n.
used in:
ugòlo òmà
Pied Crow (Corvus albus)
ùgolò
n.
bitter kola (Garcinia kola Heckel)
ùgom, ùgom
n.
prison yard
ugọnọm
n.
fish sp. (Bagrus bayad) (= òkpọ ọfū)
ugbànà
n.
A. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
B. male name
ugbè
n.
feather (cf. ugbènè)
ugbènè
n.
feather (cf. ugbè)
-kwosi ugbènè
pluck feathers
ugbō
n.
farm
-gba n’ugbō
cultivate adjoining farms; be farm neighbours
-gbu ugbō
make farm; farm:
Ugbō kà Nwankwọ nà-ègbu èri o jìlì si n’ọlụ oyìbo zùlụ ikē
Nwankwọ has been farming since his retirement from the
Civil Service
-kò ugbō
cultivate farm; farm
-lụ ugbō
work a farm
-sụ ugbō
weed farm
ugbò
n.
A. cave; den; lair; hole
B. hiding-place for fish made out of hollow bamboo cane, in
which they are then trapped
ugbokō
n.
A. forest; thicket; jungle; farm
anụ ugbokō
stupid, uncivilized person
B. name of a town in Bendel State
ùgbòlò
n.
time, times (in enumeration)
346
ùgbòlò naàbò
twice; two times:
Ejēgo m ụnò ọgwù ùgbòlò naàbò I have been to the hospital
twice
ùgbòlò òne?
how often?; how many times?
ùgbòlo ùgbòlò
frequently; often
ùgbu
n.
small fishing net
ughelē
n.
yawn; yawning
-ghe ughelē
yawn:
Ọ nà-èghe ughelē He is yawning
ugwu
n.
A. mountain; hill; any raised ground
Ugwu Awụsa
Northern Nigeria
Nwaàmàlùbịa ejēnurò Ugwu Awụsa Nwaamalụbịa has
never been to Northern Nigeria
Enugwū, Enugū
Enugu
-lị ugwu
climb mountain, hill
ugwù
n.
circumcision
-bè ugwù
circumcise:
Bikō jèe kpòọlụ m nnā Ěmeka kà ọ bịa bèe nwa a mūlụ
ọfụū ūgwù Go and call me Emeka's father to come and
circumcise the new-born baby
ùgwù
n.
prestige
ugwùlùgwù
n.
chest
ugwùlùgwù anū
breast (of meat)
ùgwulùgwu
n.
abundance, large number (esp. of small things)
ujìjì
n.
leaf used for soup
ùju
n.
fullness; plenty:
Ànyî nò n’ùju nnī kịtāà We are at present in a time of plenty
(of food)
uke
n.
thorn, prickle
ùke
n.
brightness; glitter
Ùkè 1.
n.
name of a town and its market
ùkè 2.
n.
bad, ill luck; misfortune:
Ǹke à bù ùkè This is a misfortune, or This is bad luck:
Ezùlù m ùkè n’ụzò ogè m nà-èje ịkpōlụ nnwa m nō n’ụnò
ọgwù I encountered ill luck on my way to the hospital to take
my child home
ukò
n.
used in:
-kò ukò
put on airs; show off; be lavish in hospitality
ùko
n.
small store or recess, built up generally over fireplace
ukòlò
see ìkòlò
ukom
n.
steep clay cliff at bank of river
ukòm
n.
fowl
ji ukòm
White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.), fat and of
347
good quality, features in feasts
ùku mbu
n.
shoulder
ukpe
n.
lamp
okụ ukpē
lamp
ùkpò, ìkpò
n.
seat or bed made of mud; bed or plot for growing vegetables
ùkpò ezè
royal throne
iru ùkpò
area raised or demarcated within the òbi to keep ritual objects
ukpì
n.
tree from which ufie is obtained
ùkpolo
n.
clod of earth
-tụ ùkpolo
throw missile
ùkpoò, ukpom
n.
fishing hook
azū ukpoò
fish caught with fishing hook
(Proverb) Onye ǹdìdì nà-èli azū ukpoò The patient person
eats fish caught with the hook
ùkwe 1.
n.
song; hymn
akwụkwọ ūkwe
hymn-book
-kwe ùkwe
sing:
Anùlù m kà ụmù akwụkwọ nà-èkwe ū kwe n’ụnò ụkà I
heard the school-children singing a hymn in the church:
Bikō kwèelụ m òfu ū kwe ụnū kwèlù n’Àba ǹnyàafù Please
sing me a song you sang at Aba yesterday
ùkwe 2.
n.
assent (= òkwukwe) (-kwe 1. agree)
ukwu
n.
large; big
afọ ukwu
gluttony
anya ukwu
covetousness
àrụ ukwu
leprosy
n.
large size:
Ọ dì ukwu It is big
ukwù
n.
waist; loins; stump (of tree); base:
Kèdo elili à n’ukwù gị Tie this string round your waist
ukwù isò
base of pillar of house; pillar of house
ukwù osisi
stump of tree
mbè n’ukwù
skirt; native skirt worn as underwear
ùkwù 1.
n.
bundle
ùkwù azīzà
broom (considered as a whole bundle of prepared palm
fronds)
ùkwù nkū
bundle of firewood
-lita n’ùkwù
inherit, gain by inheritance
ùkwù 2.
n.
(also ùkwù egō) unit in cowrie counting system, consisting of
ten èkpète (of six cowries each), thus sixty cowries
ùkwù naàbò
120 cowries
ùkwù naatò
180 cowries
ùle
n.
corruption; decomposition; rot
348
-le ùle
be rotten, lazy, corrupt
-te ule
disgrace; put to shame; abase
ùlì
n.
indigo; plant (Randia malleifera Benth. and Hook.f. and/or R.
maculata DC) whose juice, obtained on grinding the fruit,
turns black on drying. Used traditionally by women for body
designs to enhance their beauty. Also marked on the lower
eye-lid of patient attacked by measles, influenza, smallpox, as
prevention and/or cure
ùlì abụbà
avariety of ùlì
ùli ārụ
indigo body designs
ùli ede èji
variety of ùlì
ùlì mkpò
variety of ùlì
ùlì nkịlịsị
variety of ùlì, whose seeds are very small in size
-de ùlì
mark parts of the body with ùlì
-gbu ùlì
mark parts of the body with ùlì
ùlilì, ùlulù
n.
Giant Forest Squirrel (Protoxerus strangeri)
ùlòdì
n.
type of white lily
ùlòlo
n.
hole for exit of water from house, compound
ulù 1.
n.
gain; profit; benefit
ulù egō
profit
-bà ulù
be useful; profit; benefit
-li ulù
gain; profit; benefit
ulù 2.
see ulùghùlù
ùlù
n.
clay; mire (cf. ùlò)
ulùghùlù, ulù,
n.
flesh; small piece of meat without bones
ulùulù
ulū ārụ
flesh
ùlùkòmbụbā,
n.
butterfly
òlòkòmbụbā,
ùlùmàkụmā
ulùkpù
n.
cloud
ùlulù
see ùlilì
ùlùmàkụmā
see ùlùkòmbụbā
ùlumē
n.
downy feathers; down
ùlume akpū
kapok
ume 1.
n.
breath; sigh; strength
ume ànì
humility
ume ngwụ
idleness; laziness
-fùnye ume
inflate
-gbà ume
encourage (lit. strengthen the heart):
O kwèsìlì kà ànyị jee gbàa ụmù akwụkwọ nā-akwado ijē
nnene akwụkwọ ume We ought to go and encourage the
students preparing for examinations
349
-kùdebe ume
stop breathing
-kùpù ume
faint; be faint
-kù ume
breathe
ǹkù umē
breath
nwa mkpùkpù umē
newborn infant
-nwe ume
be strong
òkùkù ume
lung (human)
-tụ n’ume
breathe shallowly or faintly (like patient nearing death or
person who is exhausted from running); pant
-ze ume
sigh; snort
ume 2.
n.
loins
ùme
n.
used in:
ùme nnwā, òmùmù
frequent loss of new-born children soon after birth
une
n.
calabash for storing wine
ùnè
n.
mouth-bow with cane-rope string
unèlè
n.
banana (Musa sapientum Linn.)
unyi
n.
dirt
-lu unyi
be dirty:
Akwà gî lùlù unyi Your cloth is dirty
unyì
n.
coal; charcoal; cinder
unyì okwutē
coal
-gwu unyì okwutē
dig, mine coal:
A nà-ègwu unyì okwutē n’Enugū Coal is mined at Enugu
ùru
n.
sorrow; grief
akwā ūru
sackcloth; mourning garment (usually black)
-ru ùru
mourn; be sorrowful, downcast; grieve
ùruluchī
n.
evening; dusk
ùsokwū
n.
woman’s house (= mkpukè)
ùsòlò
n.
row of things or people; arrangement
-kwụlụ n’ùsòlò
be in a line, single file:
Kwùlụ nù n’ùsòlò Stand in a line; or in single file:
Mèe kà ụmù akwụkwọ kwụa n’ùsòlò Make the students
form a procession
n’ùsòlò n’ùsòlò
in order; one after the other
-sò n’ùsòlò
be in line
usukē
n.
a tree whose fruit resembles ụdalā ènwè in shape; when ripe,
the fruit is red in colour
ute
n.
A. mat
ute Ādo (= ute
stiff mat used for burial ceremonies or to form roofing or
mkpàla)
shelter
-gbasà ute
spread mat (in general, without necessarily implying for
purpose of sleeping):
Jèe gbasàa utē n’anwū Go and spread the mat in the sun
350
-kpọ ute
buy mat
-tò ute
spread mat (for sleeping on):
Bikō jèe tòọ utē ebe ànyị gà-àlarụ Please go and spread mats
where we are going to sleep
(ùwà) -tò ute
have an easy life
B. tree (Pandanus candelabrum Beauv.) from whose leaves
mats are made
ùtùkpè
n.
lamp (= ìtè ọkū):
Ọnwa tụa, ùtùkpè àna When the moon shines, there is no
need of a lamp (fig. used to express dependence on an
outstanding person)
ùyòm
n.
newly-hatched chick; chick
ùyòm ōkụkò
chicks
nwa ùyòm,
chick
nwuùyòm
ụmū ùyòm
chicks
uzè
n.
Giant Forest squirrel (Protoxerus strangeri) (cf. òsa)
uzelē
n.
sneezing
-ze uzelē
sneeze
uzuzù, uzuzò
n.
sand; dust
-kpo uzuzù
gather sand; play in and with the sand (of children)
ụbà
n.
gain; commission
ùba
n.
A. plentifulness; increase
-ba ùba
be plenty, many:
Ụmū Èzèagbàa bàlù ùba The children of Ezeagbaa are many
B. wealth; riches (cf. àkù)
C. male name
ùbìàm
n.
poverty; pauperism
-dà ùbìàm
be poor, a pauper:
Chukwu ekwēkwọna kà m dàa ùbìàm May God not let me
be poor
ùbọ
n.
musical instrument with either strings or plucked tongues; (cf.
ogumogwū )
ùbọ akwālà
pluriarc
ùbọ ọnū
mouth-organ; wind-instrument in general
-kpọ ùbọ
play musical instrument (sansa, guitar, organ)
ụbòsì
n.
day
ụbòsì daa
everyday; daily; day by day (cf. kwà daa)
ụbòsì ìkpe āzụ
the day of judgement; the last day
351
ụbòsị mbụ
the first day
ụbòsì ụkà
Sunday
kwà ụbòsì
every day; daily
mkpụlụ ụbòsì
a day
oke ụbòsì
great day
ùbụ
n.
scramble; scrambling
-bụ ùbụ, ụbụ
scramble (e.g. of children when eating or given something like
biscuits):
Ụmụ akā nà-àbụ
The children are scrambling over the food given them
nni e nyèlù fà ùbụ
ùbụlù
n.
brain
ùbụlù mgbaka
brain fatigue
-nwe ùbụlù
be intelligent, brainy, sensible, brilliant:
Ụmū Okaàfò àna-ènweka ūbụlù Okaafọ's children are
usually brainy
ùbùlù 1.
n.
young chick
ùbùlụ ākwa
eggshell (of fowl)
ùbùlù 2.
n.
fruit with sweet smell, sucked raw (? from Borassus
aethiopum Mart.):
(Proverb) Akwụkwọ ùbùlù e jìlì ke nnū , nnu nà-àtọ ùbùlù
nà-àtọ (lit. The leaf of ùbùlù has been used in wrapping salt;
the salt is tasty, the ùbùlù is tasty.) Used in describing a
combination of two good things, e.g. when a very handsome
man marries a very beautiful woman
ùbùlù inū
variety of ùbùlù whose leaves are used to cure malaria
ùbùlù ọcha
custard apple (Annona senegalensis Pers.)
ùchịchā
n.
cockroach
ụdà
n.
pepper-tree (Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich.) with
strong-smelling fruit in small curled pod, used as an
ingredient in the preparation of various medicines and in
certain foods, whose bark can be used as rope
-ụdà ọfīa
wild species (Xylopia quintasii)
ùdà
n.
sound; report
-dà ùdà
give sound:
Anùlù m ùdà egbè I heard the sound of a gun
ụdalà
n.
African Star-apple (Chrysophyllum delevoyi De Wild.) and
White Star-apple (C. albidum G. Don)
àtùtù ụdālà
juice or stain of ụdalà fruit
ụdalā ènwè
tree whose fruit resembles ụdalà in shape, but smaller
ùdị
n.
kind; shape; likeness; nature; being:
Ọ bù ùdị yā It is his nature:
Gwa m ùdị ị chòlù Tell me the kind you want
ùdị ọjọō
bad kind, form, being, nature
352
ùdò
n.
A. small fibrous plant
àpàlị ùdò
fibres of ùdò
B. rope, cord, string made from the fibres of ùdò
-fị ùdò
braid rope
-ke ùdò
tie with rope, cord, etc.:
Ànyị gà-èke Ibè ùdò We shall tie Ibe up
-kwụ ùdò
commit suicide (by hanging); hang oneself
-tụ ùdò
braid rope
ùdò ọcha
musk mallow (Hibiscus abelmoschus Linn.)
ùdụ
n.
large earthenware pot used for storing water
ùfọdụ
n.
some; certain; (can either precede or follow noun it qualifies):
Ùfọdụ mmādù dì nzuzù Some people are stupid:
Nye m ùfọdụ Give me some:
ogē ūfọdụ, ùfọdụ
sometimes; from time to time:
ogè
Agū nà-àbịa ebe à ùfọdụ ogè The leopard sometimes comes
here
ùfụ
n.
pain; agony; difficulty; distress
àrụ ūfụ
A. urgency; state of disquiet
B. sickness; pain
-dị ùfụ
be painful, distressing
-fụ ùfụ
be painful, distressing:
Ọgwū nā-ata m mkpịsị akā nà-àfụ m ùfụ The whitlow
on my finger is hurting me
ife ūfụ
painful, distressing thing
-nọ n’ùfụ
be in distress:
Ànyî nò n’ùfụ We are in distress
ùfụfù
n.
foam; froth; scum:
Ǹkaà bù ùfụfū ōnugbù This is the foam of the bitterleaf
-gbọ ùfụfù
foam; froth:
Nni dī n’ọkụ nà-àgbọ ūfụfù The food on the fire is frothing
-sụ ùfụfù
foam; froth
ùgà
n.
prickly plant used for the preparation of sponges
ùgànì
n.
time of food shortage; dearth, usually before new yam is out
ụgū
n.
fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis)
ụgùlù
n.
harmattan
oyi ụgùlù
harmattan cold
ụgbā
n.
A. calabash (= Y. igbá; cf. ọbà)
B. broken gourd/calabash, used for sacrifice
ògìli ūgba
castor oil plant (Ricinus communis Linn.)
ụgbà 1.
n.
bark of plantain, used as string
ụgbà 2.
n.
used in:
-kpọ, -pịa ụgbà
take a somersault into water; dive
353
-yi ụgbà
dive
ụgbọ
n.
A. canoe; boat; ship
ụgbọ àjà
basket containing offering to deity or sacrifice on a forked
stick
ụgbọ àmàlà
canoe
ụgbọ mmīli
ship; boat; canoe
ụgbọ ojō
small canoe
ụgbọ oyìbo
steamer
-kpe ụgbọ
steer canoe
ọnụ ụgbō
bows of a boat
-yi ụgbọ
paddle canoe
B. any kind of motor vehicle; lorry; car
ụgbọ ànì
lorry; car
ụgbọ enū
aeroplane
ụgbọ nā-efe ēfe
aeroplane
-gba ụgbọ
go in a vehicle
ụgbògùlù
n.
pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo Linn. and C. maxima Duchesne)
òpi ụgbògùlù
pumpkin leaf stalk (lit. pumpkin tube)
(Proverb) Sòọsò Chinēkè mà etu mmilī sì bàa n’òpì
ụgbògùlù Only God knows how water managed to enter the
tube of the pumpkin leaf stalk
ụgbụ
n.
clap net
ụgbùgbà
n.
kind of shallow pot; the large size used for cooking, the
medium size for soup, and the small size for making sacrifices
ụgbùgbà ọkū
cooking pot
ùgha
n.
falsehood
-kwu okwu ūgha
speak falsehood
ụgwō
n.
debt; wages; salary:
Ànyị gà-èli ụgwō taàtà We shall receive our salary today
ụgwọ ọlū
wages; salary payment for work done
ụgwọ ụnò
rent (for house)
-fie ụgwō
demand payment of a debt
-jì ụgwō
owe; be in debt:
Ibè jì m ụgwō
Ibe owes me a debt
-kwụ ụgwō
pay debt, salary, wages
-li ụgwō
receive salary, wages, etc.
-na ụgwō
receive salary, wages, etc.
onye ụgwō
debtor
-wèfìè ụgwō
seize for debt; seize wrongly for debt
ụgwò, ngwò
n.
kind of skin disease
Proverb: Onye dī mmā kà ụgwō nà-èli Ụgwọ attacks
beautiful people
ùjà
n.
bark, roar (of animal):
354
Anà m ànụ ùja òdùm I am hearing the roar of a lion
-gbọ ùja
bark, roar (of animal):
Nkịtā m adā àgbọ ùjà My dog never barks
ụjalā
n.
used in:
-ta ụjalā
A. chirp; cry as a child; utter a peculiar call
B. make a loud outcry
ụjō
n.
fear; cowardice; inability to bear pain long before crying or
trembling
-dị ụjō
be cowardly; fear:
Adì m ụjō I am cowardly or, I can’t bear physical pain long
-jọ ụjō
be cowardly; fear; be timid (less common than -tụ egwù)
-jọ ụjọ akwụkwọ
play truant
onye ụjō
a coward
ụjū
n.
mourning
akwà ụjū
black cloth worn by mourners
-nò n’ụjū
be in mourning; mourn:
Fâ nò n’ụjū They are in mourning
-ru ụjū
be mourning:
Ibè nà-èru ụjū Ibe is mourning
ụjùjù
n.
kind of tree; (Myrianthus arboreus) its leaf
ụka
n.
sourness (e.g. of overnight soup, food, not yet warmed)
-gba ụka
be sour
ụkà 1.
n.
conversation; talk; disputation; argument; backbiting; gossip:
Bikō bìa fū m n’ọnụ ūtụtù, ànyî nwèlù nwantịntị ụkà
Please come and see me early in the morning, we have
something to discuss:
Àda nà Èjìmâ nwèlù ụkà Ada and Ejima have a quarrel
-bu ụkà
make trouble
-kà ụkà
converse; quarrel; slander:
Àchọrō m kà onye ōbụnà kàa m ụkà I don’t want anyone to
slander me
-lụ àrụ ụkà
be self-controlled
-lụlịta ụkà
debate; discuss
-lụ onwē ụkà
be disciplined, self-controlled
-lụ ụkà
dispute with; argue
ụkà 2.
n.
church service; class meeting; church:
Ànyị nà-èje ụkà We are going to the service
Ụkà CMS
(Anglican), Salvation Army, etc. C.M.S. (Anglican) Church,
Salvation Army, etc.
Ụkà Fada
Roman Catholic Church Mission
ụkā nche
watchnight service (e.g. that held on Christmas, New Year's
Eve)
àfè ụkà
cloth, garment, robe set aside and devoted to wearing to
355
divine service; Sunday best
izù ụkà
(sometimes shortened to ụkà) week of seven days (i.e. of
church or mission):
Ǹkaà bù ụkà naàbò Àda jì jebe Lagos It is two weeks since
Ada left for Lagos or, Ada has been away in Lagos for two
weeks now
ụkā gālụ aga
last week
-kà ụkà
hold divine service:
Ànyị nà-èje ebe a nà-akà ụkà We are going where a Divine
Service is taking place
ndi ụkà
Christians
ndi Ụkà Methodìst,
members of the Methodist, Roman Catholic, Anglican, etc.,
Fadaa, Anglican,
Church:
etc.
Anyî bù ndi Ụkà Methodìst We are members of the
Methodist Church
onye ụkà
Christian:
Roseline bù ezigbo onye ụkà Roseline is a devout Christian
ụbòsì ụkà
Sunday:
Taà bù ụbòsì ụkà Today is Sunday
ụnò ụkà
Church (building):
Ụkò Chukwû nò n’ime ụnò ụkà The clergyman is in the
church
ùkata
n.
general name for fish of the Polypterus and Calamoichthys
genera (cf. òkwo)
ùkàwù
n.
tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus lineatus)
ụkò
n.
messenger
ụkò Chukwu
Minister in holy orders; pastor; deacon; priest, etc. (lit.
messenger of God)
-ra ụkò
send representative, ambassador, special messenger,
middleman
ùkọ
n.
scarcity (cf. mkpa)
-kọ ùkọ
be scarce
ụkọlō
n.
laziness; inability; incapability; weakness
-nyọ ụkọlō
be lazy
ùkòlò
n.
hollow
afele ùkòlò
hollow plate
ụkpà
n.
"walnut" (Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull Arg.) Hutch.
and J.M. Dalz.) (Yoruba àsalà or awùsa)
ùkpa 1.
n.
large oblong market basket, made from aŋā
ùkpa jī
basketful of yam
ùkpa 2.
n.
A. a walk
B. friendship; communion
356
-kpa ajō ụkpa
make bad or disagreeable friendship (e.g. as when a person is
intimate with another person whose morality and ways are bad
or questionable); walk with criminals or suspects; keep bad
company
-kpa ùkpa
be friends companions
-kpa ùkpa orī
be friends with a thief
ùkpà
n.
rope for climbing
ùkpakā
n.
oil-bean tree or seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth.)
ùkpànà
n.
grasshopper
ụkpò
n.
used in:
-tu ụkpò
blister
ùkpọrọ
see òkpọrọ
ụkpụlū
n.
footprint; thing to be followed, e.g. example, precept, statute
-sò ụkpụlū
take after, resemble ancestor (in behaviour)
ụkwà
n.
African Breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne.)
ụkwalà
n.
cough
Ụkwalà jì m I have a cough or, I have a coughing fit
(ụkwalà) -kwa
have a cough:
Ụkwalà ò nà-àkwa gī? Do you have a cough?
ụkwalā nri
whooping-cough
ụkwalà ntà
tuberculosis
ụkwalà ntìrịìrì
whooping-cough
àkpà ụkwalà
asthma
-kwa ụkwalà
cough:
Ònye nà-àkwa ụkwalà? Who is coughing?
ụkwụ
n.
foot; leg; footstep
ụkwụ enū
by land, overland
Ụkwụ nà Ijè cult of the limbs which symbolizes success in
adventures, represented by a carving of a foot
ụkwụ òlọgbà
crooked leg; "K-leg"
ụkwụ ọma
arriving and meeting with luck; encountering luck at arrival
(e.g. meeting friend at table on arrival at his house)
afọ ụkwū
calf of leg
akpù ụkwū
thigh muscle
akpụkpọ ụkwū
boot; shoe; sandal
-yi akpụkpọ ụkwū
wear shoes
amà ụkwū
pace; footstep
ànì ụkwū
heel of the foot
àpà ụkwū
footprint
àpàtàpà ụkwū
thigh
-dà n’ụkwụ
happen in one's presence
-gba ụkwụ
kick (with foot)
ìkili ụkwū
heel
357
ìkiti ụkwū
(sound of) footstep
ikpèlè ụkwū
knee
isi ụkwū
big toe
-kpọ ụkwụ
stub the toes
-kpọbè ụkwụ
knock and cut, hurt, abrase toe by knocking it against an
object (usu. by accident)
-lù ụkwụ
limp
nkèji ụkwū
ankle
nzò ụkwū
footprint; footstep
ogwè ụkwū
leg
ọbù ụkwū
sole of foot
ọdụ ụkwū
anklet of ivory (or copper)
ọdù ụkwū
little toe
-sì ụkwụ
mark a footprint
-te ụkwụ
limp
-tụfèga ụkwụ
throw across feet, legs
-tụgbà ụkwụ
cross the feet or legs
-tụnye n’ụkwụ
be at hand, imminent; come unexpectedly
ụla
n.
sleep
àfè ụlā
night-gown
-chu ụla
be wakeful, sleepless
-gwọ ụla
snore
-lamì ụla
fall deeply asleep
-larụ ụla
sleep
-lụ ụla
sleep
-lù ụla
be sleepy
-me anya ụlā
be drowsy
ògbu ụlā
deep sleep
òlù ụla
A. doze
(òlù ụla) -tụ
slumber; doze
B. sleeping sickness; trypasonomiasis:
Ị dì kà onye òlù ụla nà-ème You look like someone suffering
from sleeping sickness
-teta n’ụla
wake from sleep
ùla 1.
n.
(for some speakers ụnō ūla) (sleeping) room; inner room;
bedroom; foodstuff store - a room in the house
ùla ōkụkò
hen-house
-sa ùla, -chọ ùla
go and sleep with a friend or relative away from one's home:
Ì sago ūla? Good morning (lit. Have you spent the night
away?, but can be used in any circumstances)
Ì pùtago ūla? Good morning
ùla 2.
see òla
ùlà
n.
enticement; seduction; drawing away
358
-là ùlà
seduce; entire; draw away
ndị ùlà
deceivers; cunning people; enticers
-tù ùlà
tease; disappoint (after arousing expectation)
ùlàgà, ùlàgù
n.
Christmas masquerade
ụlō
n.
grey clay found in flood-plain (cf. ụpà)
ànì ụlō
clay soil
ùlò
n.
mud; mire (cf. ùlù)
ụlù
n.
tree sp. (Musanga cecropioides)
ùlụ
n.
theft; deception
onye ūlụ
thief
ụma
n.
used in:
ụma afō
enlarged spleen (see afọ)
ụmā
n.
used in:
-rù ụmā
charge, price more than right price
ùma 1.
n.
used in:
akwụkwọ ūma
leaf, shiny, broad and smooth, used for wrapping food (esp. in
convenient bits for sale) and for thatching (Sarcophrynium
brachystachys (Benth.) K. Schum.)
ùma 2.
n.
used in:
-ma ùma
pretend; be useful; do with purpose; act wilfully, knowingly
ùmà
n.
information, esp. that which is not commonly known
edi ùmà
civet-cat, which is very sensitive
onye ùmà
well-informed person
-si ùmà
seek out information:
Anà m èsi ùmà I am trying to ferret out information
ùmị, òmị
n.
shallow well; pit, well for collecting rain-water (òmị more
common in Onitsha Town)
ùmì
n.
marrow
ùmì osisi
(sweet) juice of fruit
ùmì ọkpụkpụ
marrow of bone
ụmù
n.
A. children (plural of nnwa); sons and daughters; offspring;
members of a common descent group
ụmù akā
(young) children
ụmù akwụkwọ
school children
ụmù arò
children; young children
ụmù azì
(young) children
ụmū āzụ
disciples; followers
ụmù deì
freeborn children; children of a king or chief
ụmū èjìma
twins
ụmū ìgòsì
children; young children
ụmù naàbò
twins (cf. ụmū èjìma)
ụmù nnà
A. localized patrilineage; a fluid term applied narrowly to
children of the same father but different mothers and widely
359
to the patrilineal members, real or putative, whom one cannot
marry; sometimes loosely applied to all the members of the
village-group as opposed to other village-groups; as a
residence unit, consists of a number of compounds (Uchendu,
1965: 39-40)
B. in the Onitsha area, a unit of which several make up an
ogbè ('village') and which is itself subdivided into ebo
ụmù nnē
full brothers or sisters
ụmù nwaànyì
girls
ụmù nwokē
boys
ụmù ọkpū
married daughters
òtù ụmù òkolọbìà
young men’s society
B. young of animals (plural of nnwa)
ụmù nkịtā
puppies
ụmū ùyòm
chicks
-bù ụmù
hatch (eggs) (of hen)
C. marks plural of animate nouns
ụmù nkịtā
dogs
ụmù nwaànyì, ụmù
women
nwaànyà
ụmù nwokē
men
ùna
n.
departure; going
ọdụ ūna
charm which makes someone invisible (used by drivers to
escape from an accident) (cf. ǹ)
ùnànwụledè
see nànwụledè
ùnànwụlụ
see nànwụledè
ụnò
n.
house; household; building
ụnò afīa
market stall:
Ọ bụlụ nà ị chòlù inwēta ụdị àkpà ị nà-àchọ ịzū jèe n’ụnò
afīa Ŏfọ If you want to get the kind of bag you were wanting
to buy, go to Ọfọ's market stall
ụnō àkù
bank; department store; trading factory:
A nà-àchọ ịtū ụnō àkù a nà-àkpọ Leventis Stores n’òbòdo
ānyị A department store called Leventis Stores is going to be
built in our town
ụnò akwụkwọ
school (of all types, including primary schools, grammar
schools, colleges, and universities; cf. ụnò mmùta):
Ikê nò na nnukwu ụnò akwụkwọ a nà-àkpọ University of
Ibadan Ike is in the University of Ibadan
ụnò alūsị
shrine
ụnò anwū
mosquito-net
ụnò gbamgbam
building with corrugated iron roof
ụnò ikpē
court of law
ụnò ime ụnò
small private room where family head holds private
360
discussions (= ụnò ọbā)
ụnō īkwuù
moveable house; tent; booth
ụnō mkpọlọ
prison
ụnō mmọọ
shrine (cf. ụnò alūsị)
ụnō nga
prison (cf. ụnō mkpọlọ):
Ibè nò n’ụnō nga
Ibe is in prison
ụnò ọbā
small private room (= ụnò ime ụnò)
ụnò ọgwù
hospital (of all types, i.e. including dispensary, etc.):
Ànyị nà-èje ụnò ọgwù inēta nwa nnē ānyị àrụ nà-esògbu
We are going to the hospital to visit our sister who is ill
ụnò ọlū
office; department; workshop:
Nwaàmàlùbịa èjebego ụnò ọlū Nwaamalụbịa has gone to the
office, workshop
ụnò ụkà
church:
Ndi nā-ekwe ūkwe nà-amū ūkwe fa gà-èkwe n’ụnò ụkà
echi The choristers are practising the hymns they will sing in
church tomorrow
àzụ ụnò
toilet (lit. back of the house)
-bika ụnò
dwell in a house till it is old
-dụmì ụnò
lay rafters, roof, of a house
enu ụnò
roof
èzi nà ụnò
household
-gbàkwụnye ụnò
enlarge, extend house (by adding more rooms)
-gbu aja ụnò
build walls of mud-wall building
ife ibī ụnò
furniture
imelìme ụnò
an inner room
ime ụnò
room
-lụ ụnò
build a house
-ma ụnò
be tame, be domesticated (lit. know the house)
ndùmi ụnò
roof framework (before thatching or fixing the sheets)
n’ụnò
at home; in the house; within
-nwe èzi na ụnò
become a householder
obì ụnò
homesickness
òke ụnò
house rat
-te ụnò
plaster a house; rub, smooth, wet walls of a mud house
-tọsịsị ụnò
unroof house
-tụ ụnò
build house
-tụ ụnō ākanya
build thatch-roofed house
ụgwọ ụnò
rent (for house)
-waghalị n’ụnò
wander about lazily in the house
-wà ụnò
repair thatch of a house
ụnù
pron.
(independent, 3rd pers. plural) you, your (plural):
Achòlù m kà ụnù bịa I want you to come
361
ụnù ǹcha
all of you; you all
ụnù niīne
all of you:
Achòlù m kà ụnù niīne bịa I want all of you to come or, I
want you all to come
ǹkè ụnù
your; yours
ụŋàlà
n.
sudden sound or movement breaking the silence
ụpà
n.
A. red clay soil (also aja ụpà; cf. ụlō)
B. wet mud; wet mud for building
ùsà 1.
n.
pinching (bits of food, meat, etc., usually by children (- 3.
pinch):
Ọ nà-asā ùsà He is gazing longingly at the food (of child), or
He insists on the lion’s share of food (of husband)
ùsà 2., ụsà
n.
answer; excuse
-sà ùsà
make excuse
ùshàkà
n.
A. a calabash, netted with strings of cowries, which is shaken
as a musical instrument (= Y. sèkèrè)
B. rattle (= ụyò)
ùsọ 1.
n.
pleasure; sweetness
obī ūsọ
cheerfulness; happiness
-sọ ùsọ
be sweet, pleasant; please
ùsọ 2.
n.
vicinity; proximity; near neighbourhood
ùsọ ànì
border; place of no consequence; the country, countryside
-chà n’ùsọ
go aside; give way
n’ùsọ
beside; by the side of:
Dèbelụ m ìtè afù n’ùsọ ọkū Help me put that pot beside the
fire:
Gbà mbò dèbe anụ ndù afù n’ùsọ ọkū kà ọ ghàlụ ilē ule
Try and keep that fresh meat beside the fire to prevent it from
rotting
-wèrụka n’ùsọ
put aside; take out of the way
ụsụ
n.
bat
ụsụ kà ǹgwu
bat sp. (very small and not eaten)
ụsụ ọgù
fruit bat
ùshàkà
see ùsàkà
ụta 1.
n.
bow
-gba ụta
shoot arrow with bow
-kwe ụta
string a bow
-kwezi ụta
re-string a bow
òkà ụtā
archer
ụta 2.
n.
blame; reprimand
-kwà ụta
regret; be sorry
-ta ụta
lay blame; blame; reprimand:
A gà-àta Ikē ụta màkà ego nā-efū èfù màkà nà ọ
362
kpachàpùrò anya idēbe ego afù ebe ndi orī āma enwe ìke
ịfū ya Ike will be blamed for the loss of the money, because
he was not careful to keep the money where the thieves could
not find it
ùtà
n.
invitation to a feast:
Chòọ yā ùtà Give him an invitation
-lite ùtà
accept an invitation
onye ùtà
invitee; guest
ùtabà
n.
A. tobacco (Nicotiana rustica Linn.)
B. cigarette; snuff
ùtabā èkèlèke
rolled tobacco leaves, in small bits for retail
ùtabà ufū or ufulī
dry raw tobacco leaves not yet chemically prepared
ajụ ūtabà
roll of tobacco
isi ūtabà
head of tobacco
-kpọ ùtabà
take snuff
mkpō ūtabà
snuff-box
ọkụ ūtabà
tobacco pipe; snuff-box
ụtàlà
n.
any pounded food taken with soup, e.g. fufu, pounded yam
ụtanwaǹgwèlè
n.
cramp; numbness of part of body (cf. tịtaǹgwèlè)
ùtàzì
n.
bitter leaf for soup (Gongronema latifolia)
ofe ùtàzì
ùtàzì soup
ùtụ 1.
n.
money or kind paid as tax, collection, rent, fare
-na ùtụ
exact tax
-tụ ùtụ
pay tax, tribute, collection (much used for payment of church
levies)
ùtụ 2.
n.
powder, dust (e.g. of wood)
ùtụ osisi
sawdust; powder from dry wood as a result of grub activity
inside the wood
-gba ùtụ
suffer from boring grub
ùtù
n.
rubber fruit (thick bush, sweet flesh, orange) (Saba florida
(Benth.) Bullock)
ùtụtù
n.
morning; morning of life
ùtụtù echī
tomorrow morning:
Agà m àfụ gī n’ùtụtù echī I shall see you tomorrow morning
ùtụtù ọma
fine morning
azị ūtụtù
breakfast
-gba àzị ūtụtù
take breakfast
-gbapù àzị ūtụtù
take breakfast (usually a light one and taken in a hurry); just
breakfast
-gba ùtụtù
take breakfast; breakfast
kpakpaǹdo ūtụtù
morning star
kwà ụtùtù
every morning
-me ùtụtù
take breakfast
363
nni ūtụtù
breakfast
ùzọ ūtụtù
early morning
n’ùzọ ūtụtù
early in the morning
ùwà
n.
the world, earth, universe; (in Nri philosophy the visible
world, contrasted with Mmụō (ancestors), Alūsị (spirits), and
Òkìkè (the creator), consisting of igwē nà ànì (the firmament
and the earth), and occupied by mmadù (human beings), agū
(forests), anụmànù (animals), etc.
ùwà afụfụ
world of suffering:
Àbịarō m ùwà afụfụ I do not come to the world to suffer
ùwà aja āja
troublesome world; world of trials and tribulations (lit. world
of sands - any food or beautiful thing, once sand is spilt into
it, is fouled)
ùwà anụmànù
the animal world
ùwà anya ọkū
envious, jealous world
ùwà ebè èbè
everlasting; for ever and ever:
Nnà, ànyị nà-àyọ Gī kà Ị nònyelụ ānyị wèe lue n’ùwà ebè
èbè Father, we beseech Thee to be with us till life everlasting
ùwa mmadù
the human world
ùwà m ùwà ìsatō
exclamation of dismay
ùwà ndi mmọọ
world of the spirits
ùwà ndi oyìbo
(lit. the world of the white people) luxurious pleasure-loving
way of life or living: extravagant life:
Nwụnyē Īkê bìàlù ùwà ndi oyìbo. Di yā adī àchọ kà ọ lụa
ọlụ ōbụnà, mà ò bù kà ọ mee ife ōbụnā sīlị ike Ike's wife is
living a life of pleasure. Her husband never wants her to do
any work or do anything arduous
ùwà niīne
all over the world
ùwa ōnye òzọ
another person’s business
ùwà ọfụū
modern world; nowadays
ùwà ọjọō ǹkaà
this sinful world to come:
Ànyị gà-ènwe ndù ebè èbè n’ùwa ōzọ We shall have
everlasting life in the world to come
(ùwà) -tò ute
(fig.) have an easy life
ùwà tụ ùwà
for ever and ever; for ever; everlasting:
Bìnyelụ ānyị ùwà tụ ùwà Abide with us for ever (lit. from
world to world)
afụfụ ùwà
misfortune; ups and downs of life
enu igwē nà ùwà
heaven and earth
enu ùwà
the world, earth, universe
-li ùwà
enjoy life:
Ndi nā-alụ ọlū n’ụnō àkù Kingsway nà-èli ùwà The
members of staff of the Kingsway stores enjoy life
ụyù
n.
rattle, used with ùfìè (= ùsàkà B.)
364
ụza
n.
used in:
-ta ụza
chew the cud
ụzịza
n.
West African Black Pepper (Piper guineense Schum. and
Thonn.); a climber, about 40' long, whose fruits are used fresh
or dried as spices in food and in medicine
ụzò
n.
A. way; road; path; door(way)
ụzō ēzi amā
main entrance to a compound
ụzò idèì
trench; channel; gutter
ụzò mbànye
crossroads; street corner
ụzō òwèlè, òwèlè
path to the back of the compound or outskirts of town
-bu ụzò
be first
-chàlụ n’ụzò
let one pass; give way to
-fù ụzò
lose one's way
-fụ ụzò
see clearly; be transparent
-gbuwa ụzò
cut a new road
-kwa ụzò
open road; prepare way
okpolo ụzò
road-way, public path (less specific than okpolo īlo)
ọkpụ ezi ụzò
middle of path or road; main road; permanent path
-pùta n’ụzò
move out of the way
-sifìè ụzò
miss road, way
-sụ ụzò
cut road
B. way; manner; conduct; sort; kind:
Ụzò i sì èkwu okwū asōrọ m I don’t like your way of
speaking
ọtụ ụzò
key
ùzọ
n.
dawn; daybreak; early morning; early
Proverb: Ùzọ nwaànyì abūrọ ụzọ nnwā Early to marry is not
early to get children
ùzọ ūtụtù
early morning; dawn
-gba ùzọ
go out early in the morning; do something early, rather early:
Agà m àgba ūzọ je Nneēwi I shall go to Nneewi early in the
morning
(fig.) Mbâ gbàlù ùzọ ọnwū Mba died young (lit
died
early)
n’ùzọ ūtụtù
early in the morning:
Ijè bìàlù ebe à n’ùzọ ūtụtù Ije came here early in the
morning
ụzụ
n.
blacksmith; blacksmithery
àkpaka ụzū
log of wood on which blacksmith's anvil is set (see àkpaka)
-kpụ ụzụ
work as blacksmith:
Nnà m kpùlù uzụ ogè ọ dì n’ìkolobìà My father worked as a
blacksmith when he was a young man
ùzù
n.
noise; uproar; quarrel
365
-fịọ ùzù, -shọ ùzù
make quarrelsome noise; quarrel noisily; make tumultous
noise
-tụ ùzù
quarrel noisily; make noise
W.
-wa 1.
v.
cut; split; divide; space
òwụwa
cutting; splitting; dividing
-wa ànì
break up land by digging; divide land for planting; dig ground
awa ànì
division, plot, of land
-wa ezē
file teeth
-wa ji
A. divide or split yam:
Agà m àwa jī I shall cut the yam
B. hold annual (religious) new yam festival
ogè ịwā ji
annual yam festival
òwụwa jī
feast of new yams
-wa okè
make a boundary; put a mark; demarcate
-wa ọjị
break kola
-gbuwa
split by cutting (esp. with axe or matchet)
-gbuwa akụ oyìbo
speak out, break the news, bluntly (lit. break the Nsugbe
Ǹsugbē
coconut)
ọkìlị mgbawa īsi
very severe headache
-tiwa
break (esp. accidentally)
-wa 2.
v.
A. come out; break through; burst out (on); force one's way in
-wabà
rush in; invade
-wabàta
rush inside
-waku(lu)
attack; rush at
-wakpò
rise upon; invade; attack; raid:
Elèghelū àwakpògo ọkụkò n’ime ūla ōkụkò Giant ants have
invaded the fowls in the battery
-wakwàsị
attack
-wakwute
attack
-wapùta
burst out; flow
B. come out from the soil (of water); flood:
Mmilī àwago n’ụnò Underground water has flooded the
floors of the house
-wakpò
submerge
mmili ōwụwa
coming out of underground water, flooding the land (e.g.
when water seeps into buildings in swampy areas)
C. come out, rise, shine (of sun)
òwụwa anyaanwū
East; sunrise; rising of sun
-wa + 3.
v.
wander; explore (e.g. forest)
366
-wagota
wander up (nearer)
-waghalị
wander about:
Kèdu ǹkè ọ nà-àwaghalị n’ime ọfīa? Why is he wandering
in the forest?
-waghalị n’ụnò
wander about lazily in the house
-wa ọfịa
wander in, explore, the forest
-wa 4.
v.
break; shatter
òwịwa
breaking
afele ōwịwa
breakable dish
-wa 5.
ext. suff. 1.
continuing; becoming more and more
-bawanye
increase (in number):
Ụmù ọlū ya nà-àbawanye ūba His apprentices are increasing
more and more
-gawa
go further, straight on:
Àrụ nsògbu yā nà-àgawanye n’iru His illness is becoming
worse (lit. going further and further)
-wà +
v.
put in between two closely placed objects with little or no
space between them; insert
-wà akwà
A. put on loincloth
B. = -wà ògòdò B.
-wànye
insert in (between)
-wà ògòdò
(= -wà akwà)
A. put on loincloth
B. put on loincloth ceremonially. In olden days, this ceremony
marked the time when a boy stopped appearing nude. From
thenceforth he had the privileges and obligations of a man:
Èke awàgo ògòdò Eke has become an adult
-wapù
pull out thing stuck in
-wà ụnọ
repair thatch of a house (= -wàchi ụnò)
walala
n.
narrowness
walala ụzò
path (opposed to road)
-dị walala
be narrow:
Ụzō ǹkaà dì walala This road or path is narrow
wàyo
n.
fraud (Pidgin wàyo)
afịa wàyo
inferior goods
okwu wàyo
deception
onye wàyo
fraudulent person
-we
v.
be angry, annoyed
-we iwe
be angry, annoyed
-wewụsa iwe
be annoyed, angry, with; vent anger upon
mwewụsa iwē
anger, vexation (with a person, etc.)
-wè
v.
take
òwùwè
taking
367
-wèbìpù
take out some
-wèdàta
bring down
-wèdàta ànì
bring down; humble; abase; humiliate:
Wedàta ōnwe gī ànì Humble yourself (lit. Bring yourself
down)
wèe
used in many common phrases
wèe ganye nà, wèe
till; until; pending:
nye nà
Agà m na-àpịa gī ìtàlì wèe ganye nā ī kwupùta ife ọjọō i
mèlù I shall continue to flog you till you confess the bad thing
you did
wèe lue nà
until; as far as to
wèe lue n’ùwà
for ever; for ever and ever
ebìghèèbì
wèe pù
until
wèe
in order that; so that:
Ànyị nà-àyọ Chinēkè kà O nye ānyị àmàlà ya n’ùwa ǹkaà
kà ànyị wèe gbakùta ajọ òmùme āzụ kà ànyị wèe bụlụazị
ndi gā-abā ànì ezè Ya n’ogē ìkpe āzụ We are praying God to
give us His Grace in this world so that we may eschew bad
deeds and so that we may also be those who will enter His
Kingdom at last:
Ọ kwèsìlì kà ànyị na-ème ezi òmùme kà ànyị wèe nwee ike
ịbà ànì ezè enu igwē n’èmesịa We ought to continue doing
good in order that we may be able to enter the Kingdom of
God afterwards:
Achò m ijī gboo rapù Nneēwi kà m wèe nwee ike ịfū ụzò lu
Āba I want to leave Nneewi early so that I may reach Aba
before dusk:
Achòlù m ịbà ụgbọ enū kà m wèe lue Òbòdò Oyìbo ọsọōsọ
I want to take an aircraft to be able to arrive in the United
Kingdom quickly:
Bikō nye m afele kà m wèe kulu mmīli Please give me a
plate to take some water
-wèfìè ụgwō
seize for debt; seize wrongly for debt
-wèghalị
move, move (something) about; remove; change the position
(of something)
-wèju aka
have enough
mwèju akā
sufficiency; enough
-wèlụ
take:
Wèlụ ǹkè ị Take yours
-wèlụ oche
take a seat
-wèmì
take far away
-wènata
bring home:
368
Wènata jī Bring home yams
-wèni
take up; raise
-wèni aka
take hand from; raise hand; abandon; leave alone:
Wènie akā gị Hands off! or, Stop being involved:
Wènie akā gị n’ànì afù Take your hand off that land or, Have
nothing to do with that land any longer or, Abandon the land
-wèni aka enū
raise hand
-wèni enū
raise up:
Wènie akā enū Raise (your) hand
-wènita
A. lift up; take up; pick up
B. be better
-wènita àrụ
get better (lit. raise body):
Ọ nàfu ewènita She is improving (in health);
-wènita enū
lift up; take up
-wè nni
reap; harvest (lit. take food
-wèpù
remove; take off, away; subtract
mwepù
act of taking away, removing; subtraction
-wèpù aka
take hands off (e.g. a matter):
Wepù akā gị Remove your hand
-wèpù anya
overlook; ignore; give up hope; connive at (lit. remove eye
from)
-wèpù obì
dismiss from the mind
-wèpùta
bring out; take out:
Wepùtalụ m ji Bring out yam for me
-wèpù uchè
cease to expect; give up hope (lit. remove mind)
-wèrụka
put aside; take out of the way; move aside (of light things)
-wèrụka n’ùsọ
put aside; take out of the way
-wèta
bring:
Wèta Bring (it):
Wètalụ m òfu jī Bring me a yam:
Wèta akwụkwọ naàbò Bring two books
mwèta
bringing; rendering; producing
wèe +
see -
-wì 1., 2.
see - 1., 2.
-wo 1.
v.
bore hole; poke:
A nà m èwo ewī I am poking the giant rat's hole (with the
intention of getting it out and capturing it)
-wokò
make loose, or widen, a hole by poking or probing
-wo n’anya
be plain, clear, obvious; stare one in the face; leap to the eye
-wo ọnū
dig hole (already existing, e.g. rat-hole); excavate:
A nà m èwo ōnụ ōke I am probing, poking, or digging a rat-
hole (with the intention of catching the rat)
-wo 2.
v.
peel off; shed (of skin, scales)
369
-wo iwòlò (àwòlò)
come off in scales; shed skin
-wò 1.
v.
put on (clothes)
-wopù
take off clothes
mwopū àfè
taking off of clothes
-wò 2.
see -nwò
-wò
v.
deny (a share; implies object has no legal claim to a share)
-wò nni
deny (share of) food
wọò
see nwọò
-wu 1.
v.
boil, seethe (corn, palm kernels)
-wu + 2.
v.
establish; build
-wughe
open; make, declare open
-wughepù
give permission for any kind of gathering; declare open; open
-wu ìwu
make law
-wulu
be firm, established
-wulu ewulu
be firm, established:
Oche afù àmaka, o wùùlù èwulu That chair is magnificient,
it is very firm
-wu ụnò
build a house
-wù
v.
become known, popular; spread:
Ife o mèlù nà-ewù What he has done is fast becoming known
to everyone
òwùwù
spreading; being popular
-wùbe
begin to spread (of news)
-wù èwù
spread; be noised abroad; be famed:
Akụkọ afù nà-ewū èwù The news is spreading
-wu-ta
v.
grieve; hurt; trouble; distress:
Ọnwụ enyì m nwokē nà-èwuta m ri nnē The death of my
friend is hurting me greatly
mwuta
grief; sorrow; pain (of mind)
ife mwuta
painful thing; distressing thing
-wụ 1.
v.
wash (body)
òwụwụ
washing
-wụ àrụ
wash the body
-wụcha àrụ
wash the body clean; cleanse the body
-wụchapù àrụ
wash the body thoroughly
-wụchapùta
wash away; clear away
-wụ 2.
v.
pour; spread; put; place
-wụbà
pour into
-wụchi
fill (e.g. hole with debris)
-wụfù
pour away
-wụnye
pour into
-wụpù
pour out; throw out (esp. liquids)
-wụrà
spread out and divide
370
-wụsa
A. pour into a particular place (liquids, kernels)
B. place, put down upon (cloth or many objects)
-wụsị
throw away, pour away, spill (liquids)
-wụ 3.
v.
buy (palm kernels, gunpowder) (originally derived from -wụ
2., since kernels and gunpowder must be poured into
container in order to buy them)
-wụ ntụ
buy gunpowder
-wụta
to buy (kernels):
Anà m èje ịwūta akụ n’Àfò-Nnoòbì I am going to buy some
kernels at Àfò-Nnoòbì market
-wụ 4.
v.
excise; pluck out
-wụ akpù
cut, excise a tumour, growth
-wù
v.
jump (cf. -kwụ 5.)
òwùwù
jumping
-wùbà
jump into
-wùdà
jump down
-wùfè
jump over
-wù ìkpòtọ
skip, gambol (as a young animal)
-wùni enū
jump up
-wù ọsọ
race
Y.
ya, nya
pron.
independent, object and possessive, 3rd pers. sg. For some
speakers, nya is the usual subject form while ya is the object
and possessive form, except that nya occurs after a nasal) he;
him; his; she; her; it; its:
Nya bìa ebe à Let him come here:
Fâ fùlù ya They saw him:
Edèlù m nyà akwụkwọ I wrote to him
nya bù nà
that is to say
nya kà ... jì
for that reason; so; therefore:
Ibè bìàlù ọlụ n’ogè n’ùtụtū à, nya kà e jì rọ yā òfu n’ime
ndị gā-eje nnene akwụkwọ Ibe was punctual at work this
morning; that is why he was chosen as one of the people who
are going to sit the examination
nya kpàtàlù
therefore; for that reason
ya nà ònwe yā
he himself; she herself
ya nwà
he himself; she herself
ǹkè ya
his; her; hers; its
ndịǹkè nya
his own people
sòọsò ya
only him, her, it
371
-yà
v.
A. suffer from (disease); endure
-yà ọyà
suffer illness; be sick; suffer from disease:
Ọ nà-ayā òkpoòmìlì She is suffering from rheumatism:
Ọ nà-ayà ọyā ōzịza She is suffering from a swelling disease
(àrụ) -ya
be sick:
Àrụ nà-ayā ya He is sick
B. suffer from misfortune (brought by a person):
(fig.) Ọ bù Òfọ kà ànyị nà-ayà It is Ọfọ who worries us
(fig.) Adā ayā gī àyà No one can suffer from you! (Used in
reply to someone who boasts he can harm one)
yaà!
int.
exclamatory shout to frighten, call attention
yàbaàsì
n.
onion (Allium cepa Linn.) (Pidgin yàbaàs)
-yà-tọ
v.
open forcibly
myàtọ ọnū
opening of mouth forcibly, especially of another person or
animal (abusing the speaker)
-yà-tò +
v.:
-yàtò ọnū
be vulgar in speech
-yi 1.
v.
wear
-yi àfè
wear cloth
-yi akpụkpọ ụkwū
wear shoes
-yi akwà
wear cloth
-yi àwòlò
wear mask
-yibe
clothe; put clothes on someone (e.g. a child)
-yikpò
clothe, put clothing on so as to cover up something:
Yikpò ọnya dī gị n’afọ àfè Wear clothing over the sore on
your abdomen
-yikwàsị
put on (clothing, mask, etc.)
-yilị
wear
-yilị àfè
put on clothes:
Yìlị àfè gị Put on your shirt (or clothes)
-yipù
take off (clothing, mask, etc.)
-yipù àwòlò
take off mask; unmask:
Yipū àwòlò Take the mask off (yourself)
-yi 2.
v.
resemble; be like, alike:
Àdâ yìlì nne yā Àda resembles her mother:
Ife ēyi nnwa There is nothing like a child (used as a name)
eyī uchè
quite unexpected
àtù eyī
not exactly describable
òyiyi
resembling; being (a)like; likeness; resemblance
-yi + 3.
v.
-yi àkwa
lay eggs:
Òkụkò m nà-èyi ākwa My fowl is laying eggs
-yi 4.
v.
cut (human and animal flesh and soft objects)
372
-yikasị
cut oneself open
-yitọ
cut free; cut
-yiwa
cut open, across, into two
-yiwa òlòma
cut orange into half
-yi + 5.
v.
cause
-yi atụtọ
tickle
-yi egwù
frighten
-yi ǹtàtàlabù,
tickle in armpit
ǹtàtabùlabù
-yi 6.
v.
A. turn
-yigbu
turn upon and kill
myigbu
slander; craftiness; evil
B. paddle (e.g. turn paddle in water)
-yido
put ashore
-yifè
paddle, ferry across
-yi ùgbà
to dive:
Anà m èje iyī ùgbà nà mmilī I am going to the stream to dive
-yi ụgbọ
paddle canoe
-yì 1., - 1.
v.
A. be, go together; accompany one another in doing
something:
Mụ nà enyì m gà-ayì je Nnọkwà echi My friend and I will
go (together) to Nnọkwa tomorrow:
Mụ nà Ọgụgùâ yì je mmīli Ọgụgua and myself went to the
stream together
òyìyì, òwìwì
going together
-yìlị
go together:
Bìa kà ànyị yìlị jee nkū Come, let us go together to fetch the
firewood
-yì òyì
be friends
B. have illicit sex with a woman:
Èkê chòlù ịyì Àda Eke wanted to have illicit sex with Ada
-yì òyì
be lovers; commit adultery, fornication:
Ayìnà òyì Do not commit adultery
-yì 1., - 2.
+:
-wì ala, -yì ala
be mad:
Ì nà-awì alā? Are you mad?
-yọ
v.
beg
òyịyọ
begging
-yọ ayìyọ
A. beg; beseech; pray
B. beg for alms
-yọ mgba
challenge to a wrestling contest
-yọta
receive by begging
onye ayìyọ
beggar
373
-yò 1.
v.
drizzle (of rain); sprinkle:
Mmilī nà-ayò The rain is drizzling:
Yòọ nnī afù nwantịntị nnū Sprinkle some salt on the food
-yòkpọ
flap (in the face)
-yò 2.
v.
sift
-yòcha
sift (to separate chaff or foreign body)
-yòchapù
sift out
-yòghalị
shake:
Ọ yòghàlìlù ọgwù afù He shook the medicine
-yòkpọ
sift to a fine powder
-yòta
sieve out
-yò ùsàkà
shake a musical calabash
yụ
pron.
you; thou; thee (less common than gị)
Z.
-za 1.
v.
(no vowel suffix) answer; reply:
Za m Answer me:
Achòlù m kà ị za akwụkwọ ǹkaà ọsọōsọ I want you to reply
to this letter quickly
òzịza
answer; reply
-za afà
bear a name; answer to one's name
-za azìza
answer query
-zado
give (moral) support; prop up
-za letà
reply to letter
-za mmụō
be dedicated to a spirit by taking its name
-za òkù
answer a call:
O jèlù ịzā òkù He has gone to answer a call
-za 2.
v.
swell (of animal body):
Ọ bụlụ nà ị jērọ gba ụkwụ nā-esògbu gī ọgwù ọ gà-àza If
you do not go for an injection, your bad leg will become
swollen:
Ụkwụ m gbàjìlì n’ùtụtù àzago The leg that I fractured in the
morning has swollen up
òzịza
swelling (of animal body)
afọ ōzịza
flatulence
-za àza
swell; be swollen:
Ụkwụ gī nà-àza āza Your leg is becoming swollen:
Ò gịnī kpàtàlù ụkwụ gī jì za āza? Why is your leg swollen?
-zachi
become so swollen as to cover up spaces or orifices in an
organ, e.g. eyes, ears, etc.:
Anya gī ìbùọ àzachigo Your two eyes have become so
374
swollen as to cover up the eyeballs completely
-zakpò
swell and cover up something completely
ǹzịza
swelling; bump
-zà 1.
v.
sweep
òzìzà
sweeping
-zà àzà
sweep:
A gà-azà ụnò afù àzà The room shall be swept
-zàchapù
sweep out
-zàkpò
sweep something over something (e.g. vomit) so as to cover it
completely
-zànye
sweep into
-zà 2.
v.
A. filter; skim (off)
òzìzà
filtering
B. (fig.) be reduced in weight; be lean, thin (as result of
abnormal condition, e.g. worry, illness, etc.):
Agū azàgo Agụ has lost weight
-ze 1.
v.
collapse; slip down; fall down (of wall, house, etc.); sink (of
raised path); cave in
-ze eze = -ze
-zekpùdo
sink over; collapse over
-ze + 2.
v.:
-ze ume
sigh; snort
-ze uzelē
sneeze
-ze + 3.
v.:
-ze ọdū
make a palm branch booth on a farm
-zè 1.
v.
dodge; shrink from; beware of; avoid; prevent:
Ndị aghā nà-amù etu e sì ezè mgbō The soldiers learn how
to dodge bullets
òzìzè
dodging; shrinking from; avoiding
-zèdo
take shelter, protect oneself
-zè èzè = -zè:
Anà m ezē yā èzè I try to avoid him
-zè izìzè
loathe; abhor
-zèlụ = -zè
-zè(lụ) anwū
shelter from sun
-zè(lụ) mmilī
shelter from rain
-zè ǹ
take shelter from sun
-zè ndù
be afraid of; avoid (from fear); shun; beware of; fear for one's
life:
Ọ nà-ezè ndù He fears for his life
ife izè
thing to avoid; offensive thing
ife izè ǹ
shelter
ìzè, ǹ
avoidance (of disaster, etc.):
375
O nwèlù ǹHe has good luck (naturally or by use of charms)
-zè 2.
ext. suff. 1.
melting
-gbazè
melt:
Ọ gà-àgbazè It will melt
-sizè
melt by placing over the fire:
Ọ nà-èsizē ūde He is melting the pomade over the fire
-zi 1.
v.
teach; instruct; show
-zi àzụ akā
be insincere (lit. show the back of the hand)
-zi ụzò
show the way:
Zi m ụzò Show me the way
-kụzi
teach; instruct
onye nkụzi
teacher; instructor
-zi + 2.
v.
be straight, right, upright:
Ife ọ mèlù zìlì èzi His action is right
-zi ezi n’ìwu
be legal, lawful:
Ife ọ mèlù zìlì èzi n’ìwu His action is legal
-zi n’anya
convince; please (employer) with work
-dozi
repair; correct; rectify
-kwezi ụta
re-string a bow
-lụzi
rectify; correct
-mezi
repair; rectify; correct
-zi 3.
v.
lower (e.g. load)
òzizi
lowering
-zidà
descend; get down from vehicle; put down a load; lower
bucket into well
-zido
help put down load; put down load from the head
-zi ibu
put down load from head
-zitù
put down load from the head
-zi 4.
v.
borrow:
Ọ nà-èje izī egō He is going to borrow some money
-zinye
lend:
Bikō zìnye m ego ītọ Please lend me thirty kobo.
nzinye
lending
-zita
borrow:
Jèe zìta ǹkàtà naàbò Go and borrow (and bring) two baskets
nzili, nzita
borrowing
-zì 1.
v.
send; send on errand; assign work to; deliver message:
Zìe m Send me
-zìdàta
send down:
Zidàta ngọzị Gī Send down Thy blessings
-zìfìè
deliver wrong message; mislead (by message):
Ò gịnī kpàtàlù ị jì zifìè ozi m zìlì gị? Why did you deliver a
message different from what I sent you with?
376
-zìga
send
-zìgota
send up (towards the speaker)
-zìna
send home:
Agà m ezìna gī echi I shall send you home tomorrow
-zìnaba
send home; dismiss:
Zìnaba ānyị n’ùdo Send us home in peace or Dismiss us in
peace
-zì ozi
send, deliver message; send on errand; assign work to:
Ì chòlù izì m ozi? Do you want to send me on an errand? or,
Do you want to give me some work to do?:
Ezìlì m nyà ozi I have sent her on an errand
-zìpù
send forth; send out; send; despatch:
Ezīpùgo m nwa òdìbò m kà o je kpọọlụ m Agnes I have
sent out my servant to call me Agnes:
Ì zipùgo akwụkwọ ī? Have you despatched your letter?
-zipù letà
post, send out letter
-zìsà
disseminate; broadcast; spread:
Achòlù m kà ụnū nà ònwe ụnù jee zisàa ozi bànyelụ ịfe
ànyị fùlù n’ùtụtū à I want you yourselves to go and spread
the news about what we saw this morning
-zìte
send (towards the speaker):
Zìte mmadù naàbò Send two persons.
O zìtèlù m ozi He sent me a message.
-zì + 2.
v.:
-zìchà
blow the nose; snort
-zì imi
blow the nose; expel mucus from the nose
-zi-zò
v.
mimic; mock (= -ji-jè)
zị 1.
enc.
after(wards); now (after something else); (with neg.) any
more:
Bìàbazịa! You can come now!:
Emesịzịa ànyị gà-àfụ We shall see afterwards:
Ife ǹkaà ò dìzì mmā? But is this thing good (as it is now)?:
Kà ọ dịzịa nọòfụ That is enough now:
Kèdụ zị? How?:
Ò gịnī zị? And why? Why? or, What is it now?:
Ọ mèsìzìàlù bịa bē m He came to my house afterwards:
Ụnù gụsizịa egwū ùnù èjee lie nni ụnù After you have
finished singing you should go and have your meal:
Nwatā à adī èjezi akwụkwọ This boy is not going to school
any more:
Ì gwarōzị m You never told me after all
zị 2.
enc.
also:
Ọ dìàzì mmā She is also beautiful:
377
E jì mmà ebè ịfē, e jìàzì yà ègwu ànì A knife is used for
cutting things, it is also used for digging:
Ndị ọmâ dì n’Òbòdò Oyìbo, ndi ọjọō dìàzì ebe afù There
are good people in the United Kingdom, but bad people are
also there
-zo 1.
v.
hide:
Anà m èje izō mmà m I am going to hide my knife
òzuzo
hiding
-zobe
hide from; be hidden (from):
Anà m èje izōbe mmà m I am going to hide my knife
-zo èzo
hide; be hidden, in hiding:
O zòlù èzo He has hidden, or, He is in hiding:
Ì nà-èzo ēzo?
Are you hiding?
-zobe èzobe
be hidden (from); hide from:
Kpakpaǹdò afù zòbèlù èzobe The star is hidden
-zofù
become lost or disappear by hiding; lose by hiding; be lost by
hiding; become forever hidden; hide away
nzofù
hiding away:
Agà m èzofū ōnwe m n’Òbòdò Oyìbo I shall hide myself
away in the U.K.:
Ezōfùgo m mmà m I have lost my knife by hiding it; I have
hidden my knife away
-zofù èzofù
hide away
-zoghalị
hide about:
Àda nà-èzoghalị n’ime ògìgè Ada is hiding about in the yard
-zonarị
hide from; be hidden from:
Ọ gà-èzonarị gī He (it) will hide, be hidden from you
-zopù
hid away:
Ọjì èzopùgo onwe yā Ọjị has hidden himself away
-da ǹzuzo
hide oneself
-me nzofù
hide away; become perpetually hidden
ǹzuzo, ǹzuzō
hiding; secret
ife nzuzo
secret thing
-zo 2.
v.
tie
-zochi
knot:
Zòchie elili Knot the rope
-zo 3.
v.
point; point at
-zo aka
point at; point with the hand
-zò
v.
rain
òzùzò
raining:
Mmilī gà-ezò It will rain
mmili òzùzò
rain
-zọ 1.
v.
heal; save; defend; claim; side with; contest
378
òzụzọ
claiming; claim
-zọdọ
A. withhold; keep back; be selfish
B. protect
-zọ ezè
contest for chieftaincy title
-zọ ndù
save life
-zọ ọkwa
contest for a post
-zọ ọnòdù
contest for a seat, position, post
-zọpùta
deliver; save; heal
Onye nzọpùta Saviour
-zọta
obtain by struggling, contesting, or laying strong claims to
-zọ 2.
v.
transplant; plant (cutting only)
-zọ osè
transplant pepper
-zọ osisi
transplant tree, plant tree cuttings
-zọ 3.
ext. suff. 1.
forget (restricted to verbs meaning 'think')
-chèzọ
forget
-lòzọ
forget:
O lòzọgo afà ya She has forgotten his name
-zò 1.
v.
tread; step
òzùzò
treading; stepping
-zò ajā
tread mud for building
-zòfìè ụkwụ
miss a step; step into a wrong place or spot
-zògbu
tread to death
-zòji
break, snap by stepping on
-zòkwàsị
tread upon
-zònye
step in; presume; insinuate
-zòtò
tread in any sort of filth; tread till it becomes soft and messy
-zò ụkwụ
step
-zòwata
come (esp. occasionally and unexpectedly)
-zò 2.
v.
bet; offer, lay, wager
-zò ìwu = -zò
-zò n’ibē
stand surety for; bail
-zò ǹ
lay, offer, wager; make a bet
-zu
v.
steal
-zu egō
steal money
-zu orī
steal
-zuta
obtain by stealing
-zù 1.
v.
meet; encounter
-zùkọ
meet; assemble; collide
nzùkọ
meeting; council
-kpọ nzùkọ
call meeting
-zùkọta
meet, assemble, together
-zùte, -zùta
meet, welcome visitor by deliberately going out to meet him
on the way or at a place, e.g. motor park
379
-zù 2.
v.
be complete, correct; suffice; fulfil
-zù èzù
be complete, sufficient, correct:
O zùlù èzù It is correct
-zù òkè
be correct; suffice; be complete, perfect, sufficient
-zù ọnū
be complete; be enough to go round
-zù + 3.
v.:
-zù ike
rest
èzùmike
rest; leave
-zù ike ọlū
rest from work
-zùlụ ike
take (long) rest; retire:
(fig.) Onye nwụlụ ò zùlụ ikē If anyone dies he goes to his
rest or, He who dies goes to his rest:
Jèe zùlụ ikē! Go and rest! (sometimes figuratively, when
addressing a troublesome person)
-zù 4.
v.
determine; purpose; plan; deliberate
-zùbe
determine; purpose; plan
-zù ìzù
hold a meeting, council
-zùpùta
invent
nzupùta
invention
-zùsà
alter a plan; abandon a purpose
nzusà
alteration of plan; caprice
ìzù
A. meeting, council
B. whisper
-zu-zò +
v.:
-zuzò èzuzò
mimic
-zu-zù
v.
be foolish, stupid
nzuzù
foolishness; stupidity; folly
onye nzuzù
stupid, foolish person
-zuzù èzuzù
act foolishly, stupidly
-me nzuzù
be foolish, stupid; act stupidly, foolishly
-zụ 1.
v.
buy; purchase
òzụzụ
buying; purchasing
-zụ afịa
trade; hold market; buy and sell in market
-zụchapù
buy all
-zụgbu
cheat in marketing or in bargaining for commodity
-zụnye
buy and give or present to another:
Zùnye m àkpà Buy me a bag
-zụta
buy (and bring)
-zụ + 2.
v.
play game involving board, cards, etc.
-zụ akụ
A. play the game akụ or òkwè (Yoruba ayò)
B. play board or card games in general
-zụ òkwè
A. play òkwè
B. play board or card games in general
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-zù 1.
v.
feed; nurse; nourish; train; train up; tend
òzùzù
nursing; nourishing; training; tending
òzùzù nkụzi
teacher training:
Adâ nò òzùzù nkụzi Ada is doing teacher training:
Ọ bù m nà-azù Ikē I am the one who is training Ike
-zùba
continue to feed, nurse, train, train up, tend; be in the habit of
feeding, nursing, etc.:
Ànyî chòlù kà ị zùba Ndù We want you to be training (or to
begin to train) Ndụ
-zụbì
spoil; train badly
-zù mọō (mụō)
look after deities
-zùnita
rear; bring up; educate; train up:
Ndù azùnitago Ùgònnwā Ndụ has trained Ugonnwa up
-zùpùta
train through:
Ànyị āzụpùtago Ndù na nnukwu ụnò akwụkwọ a nà-àkpọ
University We have trained Ndụ through the University
-zùsị
finish training, tending
-zùtò
train up badly; spoil
-zùto
train, rear up
-zù-na
v.
consume:
Ìmìlìkiti ife nwokē afū zùtàlù n’Àba n’ọnwa gālụ àga
àzùnago n’ime ọkū Many of the goods bought by the man at
Aba last month have perished in the fire
-zù-zù
v.
massage; caress; stroke
-zụzù aka
stroke with hand
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